Ever since I read some popular works for non-physicists about string theory and the possibility that there might be multi-verses and many more dimensions than just three or four to our known universe, I have been increasingly impressed by the imagination shown in the 19th century novel Flatland.
But now the concept of the universe (as we ordinarily might perceive it) as a holographic projection from more than just four or more dimensions seems like a similar mind-bending exercise [h/t Craig Newmark].
More importantly, confirming the holographic principle would be a big help to researchers trying to unite quantum mechanics and Einstein's theory of gravity. Today the most popular approach to quantum gravity is string theory, which researchers hope could describe happenings in the universe at the most fundamental level. But it is not the only show in town. "Holographic space-time is used in certain approaches to quantising gravity that have a strong connection to string theory," says Cramer. "Consequently, some quantum gravity theories might be falsified and others reinforced."
Hogan agrees that if the holographic principle is confirmed, it rules out all approaches to quantum gravity that do not incorporate the holographic principle. Conversely, it would be a boost for those that do - including some derived from string theory and something called matrix theory. "Ultimately, we may have our first indication of how space-time emerges out of quantum theory." As serendipitous discoveries go, it's hard to get more ground-breaking than that.
This is mind-blowing stuff, well beyond my ability to comprehend. And yet I find it terribly exciting.
[Reminder: If you're skeptical about string theory, or just want to learn more about some of the controversies, be sure to read Peter Woit's blog, Not Even Wrong]
When you read Flatland, just skim over the bleeding-heart socionomology of this book and revel in the mathematical imagination: