String Theory is - as a theory - a topic of controversy this week, as articles by Ethan Siegel and Sabine Hossenfelder attest. I recommend reading both posts and following links within them for a full morning's reading!
What does it mean for the working stiff?
Physics still explains all of the fundamental features of reality that affect us.
Do I care about features that are smaller than protons, electrons and neutrons? Intellectually I do, but practically, not so much.
Do I care about features that are larger than our galaxy? Intellectually I do, but practically, again it has little meaning.
So why do I even care enough to write a few words about it? Because I still think that experiencing life as fully as I am able is one of the driving forces of my human existence. And the work of the theoreticians and experimentalists helps me to expand the scope of what I consider conceivable, and thus expand the scope of what might be experienced.
Ramen!
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