h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Have you heard of the superstring theory? It is a theory that says all sub-atomic particles are in fact tiny vibrating strings, and the different types of vibrations determine the type of particle. In effect, if you worked out the exact sub-atomic composition of any object, you could derive a piece of music based on the vibrations.

Also, if you played a piece of music on a stringed instrument you could link the notes to a sub-atomic particle, which might lead to a certain substance. Unfortunately, I don't think physicists know what the vibrations for each type of particle are yet, but they might discover them somehow in the future.

I haven't heard of that. I'll ask Jeeves.
I've heard many theories for automatic creation of music. Most of them *did* create music - usually awful music!

Oh, and I always thought that the real super string theory is about underwear...

Y.

I wouldn't know about that

Mmmmh. Do you want me to explain?

Y.

Superstring theory is actually about unifying quantum theory with classical physics. 'The Elegant Universe' by Brian Greene is a good reference.

There was a documentary about Superstring theory on CH4 a few months ago. Apparently a guy called Ed Witton was the main man on SS theory (The 'next Einstein' and all that). Interestingly, I've been compiling a 'to read' book list and Elegant Universe is on that list and I was reminded when I looked at this thread.