Tolkien and Cosmic Order
Tehanu @ 5:23 am EST

João writes, "I started reading "The elegant Universe" by Brian R. Green and reached the part where the author starts talking about the super-strings theory. Basically, what the theory says is that the universe is composed of strings, (like in a violin) and that all particles emerge because thoose strings vibrate. Like the notes emerging when a string of a violin vibrates. The author even talks about a "cosmic symphony" and "all is music".

Being a Tolkien fan I imediatly noticed the incredible resemblence. Tolkien wrote that Iluvatar made everything out of music. This theory being correct (everything leads to that), Tolkien couldn't be more right... The building blocks that God (or Iluvatar) used, is indeed, music..."

If you don't have a copy of the Silmarillion handy, here is the opening of its creation myth, the Ainulindalë:

"There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made. And he spoke to them, propounding to them themes of music; and they sang before him, and he was glad."

And it is from that music that the world is created, according to Tolkien!