Why does string theory need ten dimensions? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Jordan Klepper sit down with Lara Anderson, string theorist and associate professor of physics at Virginia Tech, to tackle intersecting dimensions, the nature of gravity, and a unified field theory. What are the physics beyond the Higgs Boson? We discuss the problem of quantum gravity and whether string theory will solve it. Is a unified field theory too hard for our species, or are we just not smart enough yet? What exactly is a string? How can a one-dimensional object vibrate without intersecting other dimensions? Lara walks through world sheets, membranes, closed string loops, and why the math indicates higher dimensions. We discuss how to visualize other dimensions. Could a higher-dimensional object intersecting our spacetime appear as a black hole? Why is gravity forty orders of magnitude weaker than every other force? Could it be leaking into extra dimensions? Could dark matter be ordinary matter spilling out of other dimensions into ours? What are quantum anomalies, and why do they only cancel out when string theory operates in exactly ten dimensions? We discuss celestial holography and whether everything in the universe is encoded on a 2D boundary. We explore the nature of time in a universe if nothing is repeated, whether dimensions are objective features of reality or just organizing constructs, and why you can never get rid of probabilities in quantum physics, even with hidden variables. Keep Looking Up! Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: Lara Anderson 04:55 - The Higgs Boson 09:11 - Will String Theory Deliver? 13:31 - What Is a String? 17:30 - Visualizing Higher Dimensions 19:30 - How could a string accomplish anything? 21:15 - Are Black Holes Higher Dimensional Objects Intersecting Spacetime? 24:55 - Finding Small & Large Spatial Dimensions 31:09 - The Consistency Test & The 10 Dimensions 34:00 - Could We Go to Higher Dimensions? 40:13 - Cosmic Holography 42:52 - The Nature of Time 46:34 - What’s the 4th Dimension? 49:18 - Spacetime Geometry 50:37 - Are the Other Dimensions Real or Just Math? 53:16 - Closing Thoughts Thanks to our Patrons Robin Billings, PhD, Christine Sizemore, Aine DeMoss, Crispy Wisp, Branden Rucker, Rowena Smith, Cory Strauss, Aubrey Etheridge, Aldarien, Philip Arno, Daniel, Kendall Rohach, ChiliPepper, Jim Phelan, Lonnie Draper, Ryan Stanley, Ziad Farhat, Idan Cohen Epstein, Marie Lauzon, Eduardo Larranaga, Dr. DJ Kehoe, Mike Greer, Karen Henton, Pixi, Kari, Mandy, That Geezer, Victor T, Susanne Otero, Dingus Fringus, Jean, Barrie Parkman, Nathaniel Naranjo, Agentm0o, Jason Adair, MJ Jamal, Gianna Williams, Philip B Stanley, Sarabjit Singh, Chuck, Antonio Macias, Kevin Sayet, Braden Gibson, Toms Grinbergs, Andrew Brodbeck, Mr. Pinky, Adam Prentice, Rich Wilkinson, Frejya of Fòlkvangr, Eric Spray, Ian Ledington, Ilona Freeman, Tarsha Fewell, and SuperKamiGrayson for supporting us this week. Get the NEW StarTalk book, 'Lost in Space: 5,000 Facts for Navigating the Universe' on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cCD19e Order Take Me to Your Leader here 👇 https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Take-Me-to-Your-Leader/Neil-deGrasse-Tyson/9781668249970 Check out our second channel, @StarTalkPlus Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/startalkradio FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to StarTalk: Twitter: http://twitter.com/startalkradio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarTalk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startalk About StarTalk: Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up! © 2026 Curved Light Productions. All rights reserved. STARTALK is a registered U.S. trademark of Curved Light Productions. Curved Light Productions also maintains rights in the A/legs design logo, STARTALK, STARTALK+, STARTALK PLUS in the U.S. and various countries throughout the world, and these and all other associated logos, marks, and trade dress are the property of Curved Light Productions. This video, including all audio, video, graphics, and accompanying materials, is the exclusive property of Curved Light Productions. No part of this video may be reproduced, distributed, publicly performed, transmitted, or used to create derivative works, in whole or in part, in any medium now known or hereafter devised, without the prior express written permission of Curved Light Productions. Unauthorized use, including reuploading, re-editing, or incorporation into third-party content, is a violation of United States and international copyright law and will be enforced. For licensing and permissions inquiries: licensing@startalkmedia.com #StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson