NOVA - The Elegant Universe
by Joseph McMaster, Julia Cort
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DVD details
Actor: Brian Greene, Joseph Lykken, Michael B. Green, Michael Duff, Walter LewinDirector: Joseph McMaster, Julia Cort
Brand: ELEGANT UNIVERSE, THE (NOVA) (DVD MOVIE)
Writer: Brian Greene
Producer: Joseph McMaster
Writer: Joseph McMaster
Writer: Julia Cort
Producer: Andrea Cross
Producer: David Hickman
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.77:1
Running Time: 180 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-01-20
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: WGBH Boston
DVD Reviews of NOVA - The Elegant Universe
DVD Review: Visually impressive.
Summary: 5 Stars
I highly recommend this DVD set to anyone who is trying to get a basic idea of what scientists are trying to explain by string theory. You'll notice that I didn't say this will explain string theory itself. That is beyond the scope of what most of us are capable. Even the narrator Brian Greene, who is a physicist, tells us he can't visualize aspects of it. But this program will explain clearly the pertinent historical trends in physics which led up to the need for a "theory of everything". From the need to find a universal theory which would resolve contradictions between quantum theory and Einstein's relativity theory, string theory was born. Then we find out that string theory , to be consistent mathematically, introduces the need for ever more exotic theories about the nature of reality, including parallel universes. Brian Greene makes it clear through his interviews with leading physicists that string theory has not been proven true in any way, and may never be, but that at present, it seems to be the best explanation to fit what we know about the cosmos. I have read "Parallel Worlds" by Michio Kaku which covers almost the identical material in more depth, but I got a lot more out of this Nova special. Call me "cartoon-brain", but the computer animation gave me something visual to help store this information in my head. I realize that all these graphics are merely simulations, but when trying to assimilate such abstract ideas as strings, eleven dimensions, and parallel universes, I need all the aids, visual or otherwise which can be brought to bear. I liked the narrator. Brian Greene gave a clear, personable, and enthusiastic presentation which was well-leavened with humor and visual gags. I thought this humorous element was a great relief to the mind-busting concepts being discussed, and was all in good taste. For someone like me, whose main interests lie outside hard science, I think this is a great introduction to string theory, and may even be all you really want to know. If you decide you would like to explore the subject in more depth, then this special will provide good background for your next level of research.DVD Review: First dvd great, others not so great
Summary: 5 Stars
The first DVD, "The Elegant Universe" is well, transporting! First saw it on PBS during their fund-raising drive, late one night, and kept my eyelids open with my fingers in order to keep watching, in spite of being very tired. Transporting! Numinous, even! Green does a fabulous job at taking the viewer, step by step, into an understanding of something that is beyond the comprehension--as Greene admits--of even most quantum physicists. Remarkable as education and as entertainment. Enjoy both in the "Elegant Universe". The other two DVDs are throw-aways, save your money and just buy the one.DVD Review: Amazing!
Summary: 5 Stars
I always been interested in physics, perhaps it can be very fuzzy sometimes. Brian Green is an awsome physist and he presents the subject in a simple way that we all can understand. This is a great documentary also with the background we need about Eistein, Well Recommended if you like or not physics, you'll after this!!!DVD Review: An innovative concept of the universe!
Summary: 4 Stars
This set of care and zealously programs is to reveal and inform the great audience (who's not particularly with these concepts) the process of decantation since Newton's gravitational theory, passing through Einstein and the quantum mechanics and the big bang theory about a new concept originally based on a set of transcendental and illuminating mathematical concepts of Euler, carefully analysed and conveyed in order to try unsolved questions between the unification of the electromagnetic theory, gravitational theory and the concepts of two energies located on the atomic level.
The string theory has been this outcome.. This new conception is still developing itself but counts with many aspects worthy to remark, and exposed with didactic clarity with easy to follow complex and abstracts ideas.
Absolutely recommended
DVD Review: If you're a scientist, you may be disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this DVD because of an unquenchable interest in Quantum Physics. As an engineering student who has taken three semesters of undergrad Physics and four semesters of Calculus, I was looking for more information about String Theory. I thought a NOVA produced documentary would be great because I've been a big fan of NOVA for as long as I can remember. Unfortunately, I found that this DVD misses the mark for someone looking for some real information and not just a glancing overview.
The DVD is mostly well done, though I find Dr Brian Greene too "zany" and informal for my tastes. From many articles I've read by and about him, he's apparently a leading professor and physicist but has a penchant for being silly. Nothing against him and those who like him, but that's not really my thing. I'd much rather just hear an entire program explained by Burt Ovrut personally.
As far as content, I feel like the DVD is lacking. A lot of really interesting concepts are brought up, and the history behind String Theory is fascinating, but there is absolutely no in depth information explaining anything. It's as though they're expecting the viewer to just watch and not question or ask for explanation. A great example is when Dr Greene describes the quantum sized world as "chaotic" and unlike the world we typically observe. Well, why is it? There was no explanation for why this is, or why it's important. There was a great CGI scene and background music to evoke the mood, but any real information wasn't there. Even more frustrating is that they don't describe what String Theory actually is at all. They keep saying over and over again that String Theory is the idea that all matter is made up of "little, tiny, vibrating strings". Well why is this? What does this solve for us? Where did this idea come from? Why is a vibrating string responsible for all matter in the universe? The audience, if they're curious, are left dangling to just accept this theory with no explanation at all for why this is so important. We get flashbacks to the history of the discovery, and then the "five theories" problem that mathematically equates to the same equation but in different terms, but absolutely none of the real information beyond a general "pub explanation" is shown to the viewer. It's like they assume the information is too hard to understand and explain, and they're scared they'll bore viewers. Instead they use ridiculous carnival-themed CGI scenes to explain gravity and black holes...Carl Sagan just used a bed sheet and a basketball in Cosmos.
Now, I do know that the vast majority of those watching this show likely have zero calculus or calculus-based physics under their belt, and that the show is not designed nor written specifically for scientists or physicists. That's fine, though. I've seen non-calculus based explanation for physics all the time, and when the information is complete, it's still fascinating. This DVD just seems incredibly scared to show the audience anything remotely thought provoking (and thusly interesting). A great example is when the idea of the equations for string theory come out with disparity, and Dr Greene shows this with a "1+1=2 but 1+1=1" example. Please.
I'm not going to say I don't recommend this DVD because those without several semesters of Physics and Calculus under their belt will likely find this DVD interesting and a good casual glance with no equations and is easy to follow. If you're like me, and interested in the Physics and Calculus of String Theory, there's a good chance you'll be disappointed at the lack of real information because all the information they present won't be new, because you will have already read the "casual glance" stuff long ago.
Though not really the same subject matter, I would suggest Cosmos by Carl Sagan over this DVD if you're interested in the Einsteinian theories of Relativity and time travel. Something about Sagan is just more enjoyable to watch and listen to, at least for me.
If you're the sort who downloads torrents, I'd suggest looking for a BBC production called "Parallel Universes". It's not available for purchase at all, but easy enough to find a torrent for. It's a one hour program about String Theory, has Burt Ovrut and Michael Duff and others also featured in The Elegant Universe, and even though it doesn't go into any more detail than The Elegant Universe I still enjoy watching it because it's presented in a way that I much prefer.
Description of NOVA - The Elegant Universe
One of the most ambitious and exciting scientific theories ever posed-one that may be the long-sought "Theory of Everything"-gets a masterful and lavishly animated explanation that will excite scientists and non-scientists alike. Beginning with simple and clear explanations of major concepts of physics, including gravity, electromagnetism, and relativity, The Elegant Universe illuminates one of the most revolutionary theories in physics today.Known as string theory or superstring theory, this startling idea proposes that the fundamental ingredients of nature are inconceivably tiny strands of energy, whose different modes of vibration underlie everything that happens in the universe. The theory attempts to unite the laws of the large-general relativity-and the laws of the small-quantum mechanics-breaking a conceptual logjam that has frustrated scientists for nearly a century.
If string theory proves correct, the universe we see obscures a reality that is far richer and more complex than anyone ever imagined-a universe with numerous hidden dimensions, a universe in which the fabric of space can rip and tear, a universe that may be but one of many parallel universes.
Join host Brian Greene, professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University and the best-selling author of The Elegant Universe, for this exciting and in-depth exploration of this groundbreaking new theory.
Special DVD features include: bonus video-how the animation was created; Multidimensional Math activity; The Making of The Elegant Universe activity; printable materials and activities for educators; link to The Elegant Universe Web site; excerpt from the best-selling book The Elegant Universe; scene selections; closed captions; and described video for the visually impaired.
On two DVD9 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.
On two DVD9 discs. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: Letterboxed.
Based on Brian Greene's book, this three-part Nova program should do for physics what Cosmos did for astronomy. Greene hosts the program on the relative new concept of String Theory, a potential (and explosive) answer to the Holy Grail of science: a single, ultimate theory for everything. Part of Greene's (along with filmmakers Julia Cort and Joseph McMaster) genius is the ability to explain complex issues with ease thanks to a generous helping of graphics and humor. It starts with a perplexing anecdote: Einstein died trying to figure out if there could be an ultimate theory. His General Theory of Relativity brought order to the laws of large objects, but could not explain the chancier world of Quantum Mechanics (which deals with atomic particles). String Theory tries to marry the two. Greene and many colleagues give us a history of the quest and how String Theory was "discovered" in the 1980s. The formula has a lot of quirks, the most dazzling being the insistence there's 11 dimensions in the universe. Greene is not as natural as Cosmos creator/host Carl Sagan, but he is certainly friendly and encouraging (albeit it's quite odd for the host to be interviewed at various times in the program). Because it's a three-part show, there is some overlap at the start of hours 2 and 3. --Doug Thomas
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