11–20 of 138 posts
[flagged]
For my part, I know a little bit more than "shit" about physics but I know very little about string theory and know better than to have strongly held opinions about things I don't understand. I've heard quite a lot about the criticisms and would like to hear a defense of it.
[flagged]
I thought Brian Greene did a great job interviewing Edward Witten (Fields Medal winner) on the World Science Festival Youtube channel [1]. I also just really enjoy Brian Greene, his books, and the World Science Festival Youtube channel. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAbP0magTVY
You might not like Angela Collier's video on string theory[1]. [1]: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kya_LXa_y1E
I definitely don't walk away from any of Brian Greene's content thinking that String Theory is anything close to a confirmed fact at all.
It's been some times since I read his earlier books, possibly his tone has changed?
I'll also say, I'm far from a professional physicist. I'm reading and watching for fun and intellectual curiosity, not to learn physics with the goal of doing my own research. I always thought of String Theory as being more of a study of math where many people have unsuccessfully tried to apply it to physics. And, that it's lead to some really interesting ideas. I just find him and his work really enjoyable.
[flagged]
[flagged]
From the FAQ * Be kind. Don't be snarky. Converse curiously; don't cross-examine. Edit out swipes. * Comments should get more thoughtful and substantive, not less, as a topic gets more divisive. * Please don't fulminate. Please don't sneer, including at the rest of the community. * Eschew flamebait. Avoid generic tangents. Omit internet tropes. * Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work…
An in half a century we still haven't found a single actually testable prediction.
I thought Brian Greene did a great job interviewing Edward Witten (Fields Medal winner) on the World Science Festival Youtube channel [1]. I also just really enjoy Brian Greene, his books, and the World Science Festival Youtube channel. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAbP0magTVY
You might not like Angela Collier's video on string theory[1]. [1]: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kya_LXa_y1E
A few debates between Brian and other notables; Hossenfelder, Eric Weinstein, and Roger Penrose to name a few; have popped up in my youtube feed lately which are typically also engaging.
An in half a century we still haven't found a single actually testable prediction.
I think that's not quite right: it is reasonably certain that string theory can produce both the standard model and most extensions people have dreamt up, so the problem is rather that all the obviously "stringy" predictions are currently unavailable, while the string theory derived predictions for achievable experiments look like what we get from other theories we already have.
What does string theory predict that (1) is within experimental reach in, say, 5 years (2) if not found, would prove it wrong. Was there ever anything satisfying these two simultaneously? AFAIK,the answer is "no".
Earlier quoted context omitted.
You might not like Angela Collier's video on string theory[1]. [1]: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kya_LXa_y1E
Thanks for posting that; as soon as I saw the title here I was going to look that up if no one else had already. Sabine Hossenfelder too, though there's far too much content from her on this to put a list, but anyone interested might like some of her takes. A few debates between Brian and other notables; Hossenfelder, Eric Weinstein, and Roger Penrose to name a few; have popped up in my youtube feed lately which are…
Hossenfelder has gone off the "the physics establishment is all idiots and they are suppressing the real physics" deep end and has converted specific complaints into trashing the entire field.