The Death Knell of String Theory?

[gary webb]

Listened to interesting podcast which I've linked below. It features
Garrett Lisi, a physicist/surf enthusiast. The theory he propagates isn't
generally accepted but he's an outsider trying new things.  I've also
linked an article by Sabine Hossenfelder (
http://backreaction.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-crisis-in-physics-is-not-only-about.html).
Similar to the time after the famous Michelson-Morley experiment in the
late 1880s humans are at an iconoclastic moment in our understanding of the
universe. Unlike the past moment we may not need new physics
(Quantum/Relativity) for understanding, but perhaps just "deeper"
understanding.

>From ATD (pg.62):

"For word was circulating that Michelson and Morley had found no difference
in the speed of light coming, going, or sideways relative to the Earth
speeding along in its orbit. If the Aether was there, in motion or at rest,
it was having no effect on the light it carried. The mood in the saloons
frequented by Aetherists grew sombre. As if it possessed the substance of
an invention or a battle, the negative result took its place in the history
of Cleveland, as another of the reveled mysteries of light.
"It's like these cults who believe the world will end on such and such a
day," Rosewell opined, "they get rid of all earthly possessions and head
off in group for some moutaintop and wait, and then the end of world
doesn't happen. The world keeps going on. What a disappointment! Everybody
has to troop down the mountain with their spiritual tails dragging, except
for one or two incurably grinning idiots who see a chance to start a new
life, fresh, without encumbrances, to be reborn, in fact.
"So now with this Michelson Morley result. We've all had a lot of faith
invested. Now it looks like the Aether, whether its moving or standing
still, just doesn't exist. What do we do now?"..."



https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-portal/id1469999563?i=1000458879827