3 ms·

Sure, but string theory shows what happens if you can't come up with a testable theory in a reasonable timeframe. It is the ultimate "version 2.0" product. Mis

Sure, but string theory shows what happens if you can't come up with a testable theory in a reasonable timeframe. It is the ultimate "version 2.0" product. Missing features in the original, vastly over-engineered, and never ready to ship.

xelxebar 9y ago
I wouldn't be so quick to judge. It's pure research, and String Theory has pioneered a lot of new ideas that have successfully cross-pollinated into other fields. Even the LHC employs String Theorists with good reason. Seems a mistake to write it off as "not delivering" simply because it hasn't given us exactly what we originally expected. On a more social level, a focus on "delivering" and "impact" in pure science seems like it can be taken to the point of shooting ourselves in the foot. Think of all the discoveries from pure exploratory research that we recognized as useful only after the fact.
- nikofeyn 9y ago
  so quick? it's not as if string theory is just getting started.
empath75 9y ago
That string theory is already compatible with everything we know about reality is a titanic achievement. If you think it's not, go ahead and list all of the other alternatives that also have a hope of unifying gravity?
- red75prime 9y ago
  String theory is in fact compatible with a large number of possible realities. That's the problem.
- jcranmer 9y ago
  Except that string theory requires supersymmetry, and the latest LHC results are not happy for supersymmetry. As for other unifying theories, loop quantum gravity is somewhat popular. And Wikipedia has a nice list of alternative theories: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity#Other_approaches https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity#Other_approach.... String theory is far from the only game in town, despite what string theorists would have you believe.

3 ms·

Sure, but string theory shows what happens if you can't come up with a testable theory in a reasonable timeframe. It is the ultimate "version 2.0" product. Mis

by astrodust 9y ago

xelxebar 9y ago
I wouldn't be so quick to judge. It's pure research, and String Theory has pioneered a lot of new ideas that have successfully cross-pollinated into other fields. Even the LHC employs String Theorists with good reason. Seems a mistake to write it off as "not delivering" simply because it hasn't given us exactly what we originally expected. On a more social level, a focus on "delivering" and "impact" in pure science seems like it can be taken to the point of shooting ourselves in the foot. Think of all the discoveries from pure exploratory research that we recognized as useful only after the fact.
- nikofeyn 9y ago
  so quick? it's not as if string theory is just getting started.
empath75 9y ago
That string theory is already compatible with everything we know about reality is a titanic achievement. If you think it's not, go ahead and list all of the other alternatives that also have a hope of unifying gravity?
- red75prime 9y ago
  String theory is in fact compatible with a large number of possible realities. That's the problem.
- jcranmer 9y ago
  Except that string theory requires supersymmetry, and the latest LHC results are not happy for supersymmetry. As for other unifying theories, loop quantum gravity is somewhat popular. And Wikipedia has a nice list of alternative theories: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity#Other_approaches https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_gravity#Other_approach.... String theory is far from the only game in town, despite what string theorists would have you believe.