SO. I managed to read Part I/Chapter 1 of The Elegant Universe, it's called Tied Up In String. In this chapter he basically gives us an overview of the standard model of physics, what we know, and then starts to ask philosophical questions about the "Why" of physics. We find out that we continuously think that our current level of knowledge, from cells to molecules to atoms to quarks is always the "basic" parts of the universe, and there is nothing beyond that, only to find out some fraction of a century later that there is always more below.
We also find out that there are three "families" that the standard model of physics can be broken into. And each family has 4 parts. We also find out that there are four fundamental forces, which range from the very small, to the very large, as well as from the very week to the very strong. The question to all this is why are the families set up this way and why are the forces set up this way? The answer, apparently, will all be clear and solved by string theory. We're about to find out.
