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1. LS (lain@lain.com)'s status on Monday, 30-Dec-2024 13:21:07 JST LS
   Interesting interview about all things 'string theory' with Peter Woit (who wrote 'not even wrong' a long time ago) and Joseph Conlon (who wrote 'why string theory' very recently). Conlon gives 'string theory' an A+ (somewhat tongue in cheek) but when asked what string theory actually is, he says this:
   
   "What it isn't is the idea of string theory as a fundamental theory of nature that is sitting behind the standard model as the kind of, you know, the deep structure of the standard model, the deep structure of this universe. For good or ill, I think mostly ill, but lots of people think for good. I mean, most of the research that is in string theory is kind of much more in the sort of mathematical physics area with kind of very tangential, at best, connections to the physics of this world. "
   
   Jaimongul (the host) asks him: "So then, Joe, what is the definition of string theory? It's whatever is practiced by the people who are at least previously called string theorists?", and Conlon has pretty much no answer to it. "In some ways, that's how people use the term".
   
   This is a guy who wrote a book on why string research is good who
   
   - can't say what string theory is, and
   - says that it has 'very tangential, at best' connections to the physical world
   • H. Faust (hfaust@shitposter.world)'s status on Monday, 30-Dec-2024 13:27:29 JST H. Faust

     in reply to
     @lain It's bullshit, everybody knows the universe is made of time cubes
     LS likes this.
   • Hot Karla (k@wizard.casa)'s status on Monday, 30-Dec-2024 13:28:02 JST Hot Karla

     in reply to

     @lain It was a bad conversation, Woit wasn't doing a very good job at explaining the problem either. I was getting Grandpa Simpson vibes at points.

   • LS (lain@lain.com)'s status on Monday, 30-Dec-2024 13:28:02 JST LS

     in reply to

     • Hot Karla
     @k by now i think woit doesn't care that much anymore and just wants to be nice. conlon really seemed to be nervous throughout.