The word 'universe' is obviously not intended to have a plural, but science has evolved in such a way that we need a plural noun for something similar to what we ordinarily call our universe.
Extra dimensional theories are sometimes considered science fiction with equations. I think that's a wrong attitude. I think extra dimensions are with us, they are with us to stay, and they entered physics a long time ago. They are not going to go away.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Extra dimensions are a legitimate aspect of physics, often dismissed as speculative, but they have been part of scientific discourse for a long time.
This quote by Leonard Susskind emphasizes the important role that extra-dimensional theories play in the field of physics, arguing against the common perception that they are purely speculative or fictional. He asserts that these theories are integral to understanding the universe and have been established within the scientific framework for some time, suggesting that they are not fleeting ideas but rather vital components that will remain in scientific discussions.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on theoretical physics, one could use this quote to highlight the significance of extra dimensions.
More from Leonard Susskind
All quotes →A lot of my research time is spent daydreaming - telling an imaginary admiring audience of laymen how to understand some difficult scientific idea.
Man - life in general - seems irrelevant to the workings of the universe: a mere smudge of water, grease, and carbon on a pinpoint planet circling a star of no special consequence.
I was going to engineering school but fell in love with physics.
Why is there space rather than no space? Why is space three-dimensional? Why is space big? We have a lot of room to move around in. How come it's not tiny? We have no consensus about these things. We're still exploring them.
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