re: Dark matter and dark energy.

quote:

---

When I was reading string theory was sort of the red headed step child without much support

---

Well, I'm thinking you were reading about String Theory when there were 5 competing versions of it. Without looking up the specific dates, I'll say that Edward Witten burst onto the physics scene a few years ago as a leader in the field when he delivered a startling presentation in California that showed the competing theories are just five versions of the same thing.

His insight was more than just a one time occurrence, however. He has since shown that String Theory unifies quantum mechanics and relativity.

He is regarded as perhaps the smartest person in the world and has made String Theory a solid explanation of the basics of everything. So much so, in fact, that the field of study is getting crowded with young physicists who want to center their careers on it.

String Theory is definitely not a red headed stepchild anymore. However, just like any theory, observational evidence will have to be attained before it is confirmed. The scientific method applies to even the most brilliant theories and minds.