re: Dark matter and dark energy.

quote:

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I hate string theory. It is just a way to get around mathematical singularities. I don't get why we waste our time with a make believe world of 10 or more dimensions.

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Okay, I get where you're coming from. String Theory does seem ridiculous at first blush. The idea that each particle type is determined by a certain string vibration seems ludicrous.

However, the earth's most powerful minds have gravitated to that field of study because of the potential for understanding both quantum and relativistic physics more thoroughly. And it's precisely because String Theory does get around mathematical singularities that makes it so appealing.

Now that Edward Witten and other theorists have worked through the math and have linked quantum mechanics with relativity the challenge is to somehow observe the effects of strings and prove their existence. Recall that only observation counts as a discovery in science. String Theory will remain philosophical until this happens.