String Theory: Part Two

So Natalie and I recently saw the first two episodes of NOVA: The Elegant Universe. Natalie was knitting as we learned about Einstein and the Theory of General Relativity, and about the introduction of String Theory as a means to reconcile the large forces of gravity with the small forces of electromagnetism, the strong nuclear force and the weak nuclear force. You know, that whole deal. (Click below for a five minute review.)

We were talking about the theory, when it struck us that maybe these fundamental building blocks, these one dimensional extended objects, these strings – maybe they had been right under our noses this entire time? What was at first a cold and abstract theory with equations, planets and particles; maybe it was actually colorful and cozy?

Was this Theory of Everything built on wool? Could it really be. . .Yarn Theory?