The Creation of the Universe
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Timothy FerrisBrand: Paramount
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-09-07
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: PBS
Movie Reviews of The Creation of the Universe
Movie Review: Along with Cosmos, the best of physics on DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
It's interesting that a program which originally aired in 1985 should still hold up as well as this one does...
But it's true because this program takes you on a breath taking voyage of the then known frontiers of physics (which remain largely the same today).
For my money, it gives the viewer the best video comparative description and comparison of the supposed four fundamental forces of nature being:
Electromagnetism which functions at both the subatomic and macroscopic levels;
The strong nuclear force which binds gluons together making the nucleus of atoms remarkably durable structures;
The weak nuclear force which governs subatomic decay (and significantly plays an important role in defining the arrow of time...a point to which I will shortly return); and finally
Gravity which functions greater at greater mass levels.
Together these four paradoxically similar and different forces serve to define the actions of ordinary matter.
As mentioned this DVD was originally aired back in 1985 but if you read event recent popular selections on physics (like for example the 2010 User's Guide to the Universe) you will find that it still reflects a very current understanding of physics. The progam also demonstrates a remarkable prescience by discussing the string theory movement which was then in its infancy.
For skeptics of string theory, there is great comfort in the offerings of physics icons like John Wheeler whose then existent ideas of simple unifying idea for creation were then particularly in vogue (as they perhaps should still be).
Other than Wheeler, you get to see cool stuff like the particle accelerators at CERN and Fermilab. These visions were particularly sad to watch knowing that back in 1985 Congress was just eight years away from deep sixing forever our own Supercolliding Superconductor which could have put paid to many of theories we still speculate on today.
And sadly, owing to time constrictions there were some issues this program couldn't touch on like the arrow of time. (Here's where I return as promised to this issue: the weak nuclear force is the one force which shows a prejudice for time directionality because K particle breakdowns operate to favor entropy over time as opposed to the reverse.)
For those choosing to start a self schooling physics I would highly recommend this DVD both for it's accessible graphics and comprehnsible diaglogue by the surprisingly telegenic Timothy Ferris.
Highly recommended!
Summary of The Creation of the Universe
Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 09/23/2005