Professor of physics and mathematics at Columbia University, Brian Greene discussed discoveries in cosmology, as well as the groundbreaking Superstring Theory and other current research. Einstein's quest for a Unified Field Theory went unfulfilled in his lifetime, but it's possible that String Theory could turn out to be the uniting explanation he was looking for. The theory suggests that inside the smallest known particles such as quarks and electrons even smaller objects exist-- filaments or strings that vibrate and produce different particles.
Related to this is the idea that we may live in a world with as many as 11 different dimensions. Yet these dimensions may not be that exotic-- they could just not be visible to humans, he explained. The Big Bang could be happening in an ongoing fashion creating new universes, like bubbles, and it might be possible someday to communicate with these other universes through gravitational signals, Greene noted.
It's possible our universe is not curved but like a gigantic cube that goes on forever, such that if you kept going you would never return to your starting place, he detailed. A black hole could be thought of as a moment where time ends, rather than a specific location, Greene continued. He is looking forward to the upcoming experiments at the Hadron Collider, which could yield new breakthroughs and surprises in physics.
EMP Attack
First hour guest, author William Forstchen outlined how an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack could be carried out on the United States and the effects it would have. Detonating several small fission bombs at various locations above the country would build up an electrostatic discharge in the atmosphere and knock out the power grid, he said. Forstchen urged people to have emergency supplies on hand, band together with neighbors, and push for congressional action on this threat.
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Book(s):
Bumper Music:
Bumper music from Monday June 1, 2009
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Midnight Express (The Chase)
Giorgio Moroder -
Europa
Santana -
Saved by Zero
The Fixx -
Distant Early Warning
Rush -
Learning to Fly
Pink Floyd -
The Magnificent Seven
The Clash -
Sherry
Frankie Vali and the Four Seasons -
Why Can't I Touch It?
Buzzcocks -
Eye In The Sky
Alan Parsons Project -
Only Time Will Tell
Asia -
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
The Beatles -
Riders on the Storm
The Doors -
Dancing Queen
ABBA -
Fixed Income
DJ Shadow -
Yakety Yak
The Coasters -
Inca Dance
Cusco