Are the Whiteboards in The Big Bang Theory Scientifically Accurate?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the scientific accuracy of the whiteboards featured in the television series "The Big Bang Theory," particularly in Season 7, Episode 20, where Sheldon Cooper abandons string theory. The whiteboards display concepts related to M-theory, D-branes, and Grand Unified Theory (GUT) models, showcasing a unique approach to SU(5) and SO(10) GUT. Users seek high-quality images of these whiteboards and reference various academic papers, including arXiv:1310.1185 and arXiv:0904.1556, to analyze the equations presented. The conversation also touches on the continuity of the whiteboard content across episodes, highlighting the involvement of David as the author of the whiteboards.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of M-theory and D-branes in theoretical physics
  • Familiarity with Grand Unified Theories (GUT) and their models
  • Knowledge of particle physics terminology, including SU(N) groups
  • Access to academic resources such as arXiv for research papers
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of M-theory in modern physics
  • Explore the concepts of SU(5) and SO(10) in Grand Unified Theories
  • Investigate the equations presented in arXiv:1310.1185 and arXiv:0904.1556
  • Analyze the portrayal of scientific concepts in popular media, focusing on "The Big Bang Theory"
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Physicists, science communicators, and fans of "The Big Bang Theory" interested in the intersection of theoretical physics and popular culture.

arivero
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Any pointers about where to get information and perhaps pictures of the different whiteboards shown in Big Bang Theory?

I am particularly interested on the season where Sheldon abandons string theory; the boards for this chapter (155, season 7 ep 20, aired 10th April 2014) seem to show some M-theory + D-branes generic content, and the next day seem to be some model building with GUT groups but not the common presentation.
 
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Have you visited https://thebigblogtheory.wordpress.com/ ?
(Yes, I know the last entry is November 2013... so this doesn't apply to the particular whiteboard you ask about.)

[I wonder if this blog is run by an old classmate of mine. EDIT---based on the next two replies, I think it is.]
 
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I think the blog is/was by Saltberz himself. I could try to ask him, but I am not sure if he is still the author of the whiteboards.
 
David is still the author of the whiteboards.
 
arivero said:
Any pointers about where to get information and perhaps pictured of the different whiteboards shown in Big Bang Theory?
Photos! :)
 
Greg Bernhardt said:
Photos! :)
I am sorry I'd need a Full HD copy.

This is one
upload_2016-12-12_2-3-19.png
from ch 21, so the day or week after Sheldon leaves string theory. It seems it is building a GUT multiplet, but in a very peculiar way.

The whiteboard next to the exit door seems related
upload_2016-12-12_2-7-52.png
as it is building something out of SU(N).

Sorry the bad quality. This was from a supossedly HD copy, but better I will try to reproduce the chapter in Netflix.
 
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Ok, in the first minute there is a well focused one. Note the peculiar way of arriving up to the right-handed neutrino.
upload_2016-12-12_2-28-15.png
 
And here a well focused version of the other whiteboard
upload_2016-12-12_2-41-36.png


So it seems the guys have been working some variant of SU(5) / SO(10) GUT, have them?
 
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And got time to look at chapter 155... the day he decides to break with String Theory, the board in the entry door shows the M-theory diagram:

upload_2016-12-12_16-27-0.png


Is it the last attempt to some particle pheno from string? It looks a concrete selection of branes.
 
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