trying for i think the third time to understand what string theory is and why it's such a big deal, this time by reading brian greene's the elegant universe. my essential problem, i've come to realize, is this. sure, i can accept that fundamental particles are made out of 1-dimensional vibrating strings that confer on them their respective properties of energy and mass. but what does it mean that these strings aren't made of anything else? that they're not strings of anything, but just...strings? how do you even begin to imagine or make sense of that? i mean, i'm beginning to feel like the old lady who pronounced that it was turtles all the way down, but at least we all know what turtles are.

of course, the physicists among us are all like: