The term dimensions causes confusion. First it is used as a xyz-coordination system to calculate or position points or objects in the 3D-world or in the virtual CAD-CAM world. Everybody understands that, no? Einstein made it slightly more complicated by calling Time a fourth dimension.
But at the same time "dimensions" are used to describe hidden positions, fields or branes in - imaginary or mathematical - "space". Now that is confusion, isn't it?
String theory is a nice example. Next to our 3D-world, plus its dynamic component "Time" - being a fourth dimension - making together a 4D-world, the stringists figured out that there are six compactified dimensions in the Calabi-Yau spaces. That makes ten dimensions, but some stringists say there are 11 where other say there are more than 30!
Actually, String theory lost much of it's popularity. The newest trend in now Loop Quantum Gravity. Haha. Lee Smolin, using the Big Bounce is just rephrasing the concept Buddhism claims for thousands of years. New wine in old sack! But the guy gets paid for it, and yes, indeed, money ... is another dimensional gate, opening many other dimensions.
Since hidden dimensions are not taking part of our 3D (4D) World, I think, another, new word should be invented. What about himensions or limensions?
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