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Jono
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20 Aug 2011, 12:36 pm

The string theorist and popularizer of science, Brian Greene, is back. Yes, it's the same Brian Greene that hosted the popular PBS documentary series on string theory "The Elegant Universe", based on his popular science book on of the same name. This time, he's hosting a new PBS documentary series based on his second popular book, also with the same name. I personally would like to see this documentary series because I quite enjoyed "The Elegant Universe", though this one's more on general physics like Hawking's "Brief history of time" rather than just string theory. Although string theory is spoken about in it. Here's a preview of the documentary:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDHOLAACYv0[/youtube]

What do you guys think of this?



ruveyn
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20 Aug 2011, 1:11 pm

Jono wrote:

What do you guys think of this?


I forget who said this: The Universe is not only stranger than we imagined, it is stranger than we -can- imagine.

ruveyn



Jono
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20 Aug 2011, 2:24 pm

ruveyn wrote:
Jono wrote:

What do you guys think of this?


I forget who said this: The Universe is not only stranger than we imagined, it is stranger than we -can- imagine.

ruveyn


It was Sir Arthur Eddington who's credited with that quote, and I agree.



Tom_Kakes
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20 Aug 2011, 2:57 pm

Sorry but I Cant stand that guy, I thought his first series was nothing special, certainly nothing new bar fancy effects and pointless trips to the far reaches of the globe.

He even has a column in the sun newspaper! Sellout!



Tom_Kakes
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20 Aug 2011, 3:01 pm

Duh, that could have sounded rude lol.

Just my opinion, thanks for the link!



ruveyn
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20 Aug 2011, 7:58 pm

Jono wrote:
ruveyn wrote:
Jono wrote:

What do you guys think of this?


I forget who said this: The Universe is not only stranger than we imagined, it is stranger than we -can- imagine.

ruveyn


It was Sir Arthur Eddington who's credited with that quote, and I agree.


It got the source of the quote:

"The universe is not only queerer than we suppose, it is
queerer than we can suppose."

J. B. S. Haldane

ruveyn



Jono
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21 Aug 2011, 10:23 am

Tom_Kakes wrote:
Sorry but I Cant stand that guy, I thought his first series was nothing special, certainly nothing new bar fancy effects and pointless trips to the far reaches of the globe.

He even has a column in the sun newspaper! Sellout!


That's too bad because I think his explanations of physics are excellent.



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21 Aug 2011, 10:44 am

Jono wrote:
Tom_Kakes wrote:
Sorry but I Cant stand that guy, I thought his first series was nothing special, certainly nothing new bar fancy effects and pointless trips to the far reaches of the globe.

He even has a column in the sun newspaper! Sellout!


That's too bad because I think his explanations of physics are excellent.


I just like reading on the subject tbh. I find it easier I think.

:D



Jono
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25 Aug 2011, 2:56 pm

No more responses?

Oh well, for everyone who's interested, the series premiers on PBS on 2 November. Be sure not to miss it. Unfortunately, I'll only be able to see it when comes on DVD because I can't watch PBS.



Jono
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07 Nov 2011, 2:12 pm

I've found this video of the first episode in the documentary. Enjoy:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy9gXKwRpXc[/youtube]



fraac
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07 Nov 2011, 2:26 pm

I've read his books. There'something about the pacing of his explanations that bothers me. I'm not sure if he takes a long time to say things or if I'm missing stuff.



mar00
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07 Nov 2011, 2:56 pm

Thanks! On that note I will also add that there is a new documentary currently running : "Brave New World With Stephen Hawking".
Even though I am all for popularizing science, personally, I find these misleading and dull. Visual parts might be somewhat interesting also they carry this inspirational tone.



ruveyn
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14 Nov 2011, 11:24 am

fraac wrote:
I've read his books. There'something about the pacing of his explanations that bothers me. I'm not sure if he takes a long time to say things or if I'm missing stuff.


Brian Greene is a bit too "hand wavy" for my test. As popularizers go, I prefer Brian Cox (with his marvelous Manchester accent) and Neal DeGrass Tyson. I can also do with a lot less of Michao Kaku. He is too much like Carl Sagan for my test. Michio Kaku ice skating was almost as outrageous as Carl Sagan trying to sing like whale.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyYMbQFYGPU

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKEmj7W_b1c

ruveyn



DC
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14 Nov 2011, 11:59 am

Eeeeek.

I had to stop watching it.

Way too much fancy action and music distracting from what the presenter is trying to communicate, drives me nuts. :(



Jono
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15 Nov 2011, 7:27 am

ruveyn wrote:
fraac wrote:
I've read his books. There'something about the pacing of his explanations that bothers me. I'm not sure if he takes a long time to say things or if I'm missing stuff.


Brian Greene is a bit too "hand wavy" for my test. As popularizers go, I prefer Brian Cox (with his marvelous Manchester accent) and Neal DeGrass Tyson. I can also do with a lot less of Michao Kaku. He is too much like Carl Sagan for my test. Michio Kaku ice skating was almost as outrageous as Carl Sagan trying to sing like whale.

See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyYMbQFYGPU

and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKEmj7W_b1c

ruveyn


I actually used to like Carl Sagan.



Jono
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15 Nov 2011, 7:29 am

DC wrote:
Eeeeek.

I had to stop watching it.

Way too much fancy action and music distracting from what the presenter is trying to communicate, drives me nuts. :(


Yes, there are a lot of special effects. Although, they are supposed to be illustrative.