String Theory: Are strings complex?

Question

Please keep in mind a distinction between the use of the term 'complexity' in ordinary conversation (William Falkner's novels are complex) verses complexity in the mathematical sense (the capacity to give rise to virtually unlimited and unpredictable higher-order patterns - often associated with chaos and self-organizing systems aka non-linear dynamic systems, etc.) I am wondering if an individual string in string theory can be considered complex in the mathematical sense, or would complexity arise only from the interactions of a bunch of strings? Logical argument for or against would be appreciated, as well as links/references to where I might find discussions of this topic.

Answer 1

Okay, first let's set aside the obvious need for complex numbers in mathematical physics, including string theory, because I think that's not what youi're referring to. As a matter of fact, Calabai-Yai spaces in string theory are 6D spaces of complex numbers. But the other kind of complexity, commonly and loosely defined as that region between regularity and chaos (a region of great interest in cellular automata and dynamical systems), isn't a feature in standard string theory. String theory is an extension of quantum field theory, adding compactified 6D Calabi-Yau spaces to 4D spacetime which provides additional vibrational degrees of freedom. Mathematical calculations are stupendously difficult, as they already are in quantum field theory, but, again, I don't think you're talking about that either. You're suggesting self-organized criticality or complexity in string theory, and right now that's at the speculative edge. Some thinkers are suggesting that maybe that principles of self-organization could explain why nature seems to "choose" between a ridiculously large number of possible string theory scenarios, which is a big problem today. Lee Smolin is one of the few serious thinkers on this, most of the rest are just crackpots. Here's a link to a Royal Society article on the subject by him. I think self-organization could help string theory with the "background" problem, in that string theory doesn't explain why there's even spacetime, which is something that Smolin talks about.

Answer 2

I’m no expert, but strings maybe complex like a wavefunction is complex.
This is very useful when dealing with wave interactions but at the end of the day, you can only observe the absolute value thus the real part.
The mathematical formalism may not be unique…

Right now a string is that which does what we want it too. It’s a mathematical wave that performs as the postulates demand.

good luck

Answer 3

Complexity arises in the interaction of a bunch of strings together. The string theory, along with quantum theory, says that a quark for example is made from the different vibrations of all of these strings. But in a sense strings are complex yes.

Answer 4

Strings are complex when you look at them that way... But if you look at strings as if they are all just groupings of massless strings aka magnetic monopoles created by magnetic flux in the universe... Youll see strings as a fairly easy to understand concept probably. Basicaly this is how I view it the universe started with a system that created the effect of having 2 supermagnets the size of 1/2 the universe each start together and then pull apart very fast making huge amounts of magnetic flux. Enoth to make the world as we know it form from nothing. I see these "magnets" as the hand of God if you wana call it that. They move out from where the center of the universe is and keep making magnetic flux as they do. If you want me to explain this in more detail plz IM me.

Answer 5

11 dimensional string theory has not produced anything.

It is possible that the 7 dimensions of space that are not perceived are mathematical deception, and therefore string theory is a theory of nothing, as you will find if you read the wikipedia article on string theory all the way to the end.

Answer 6

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