String Theory: Is It Valid?

Hello all,

A few months ago I watched a PBS documentary on String Theory. I was
wondering if experts here can tell me if they believe there is any
validity to String Theory? I saw a lot of speculation, but no
evidence. They believe that when the new particle accelerator is
finished, they will find evidence.

Thanks.
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ey believe there is any
validity to String Theory?

Maybe this is a moot point but string theory is a valid mathamatical theory
because like most theories its starts off with a postulate and then derives the
consequences followig certain rules. The question should be "Can string theory
be applied to Astronomy?" The result might be that it is a valid theory but
its of no use in astronomy.

ey believe there is any
validity to String Theory?

Maybe this is a moot point but string theory is a valid mathamatical theory
because like most theories its starts off with a postulate and then derives the
consequences followig certain rules. The question should be "Can string theory
be applied to Astronomy?" The result might be that it is a valid theory but
its of no use in astronomy.

Odysseus wrote:

A few months ago I watched a PBS documentary on String Theory. I was
wondering if experts here can tell me if they believe there is any
validity to String Theory?

It hasn't been tested!
There are expertiments testing for a 5th dimension--null results to date.

The PBS program you refer to is online at
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs.html

Odysseus wrote:

A few months ago I watched a PBS documentary on String Theory. I was
wondering if experts here can tell me if they believe there is any
validity to String Theory?

It hasn't been tested!
There are expertiments testing for a 5th dimension--null results to date.

The PBS program you refer to is online at
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs.html

On 5 Apr 2004 23:30:03 -0700, (Odysseus) wrote:

Hello all,

A few months ago I watched a PBS documentary on String Theory. I was
wondering if experts here can tell me if they believe there is any
validity to String Theory? I saw a lot of speculation, but no
evidence. They believe that when the new particle accelerator is
finished, they will find evidence.

What does "valid" mean? At this point the theory is a mathematical construct
that elegantly explains many observations. I would say the theory is valid
because it is testable and falsifiable. So far, however, those experiments have
not been done, or have been inconclusive. New equipment should allow for
experiments in the next few years that offer firm evidence one way or the other.
In the meantime, it is fair to call it a valid theory that is largely lacking
support (or refutation) by experimental evidence. This is a normal stage that
all theories must go through.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

On 5 Apr 2004 23:30:03 -0700, (Odysseus) wrote:

Hello all,

A few months ago I watched a PBS documentary on String Theory. I was
wondering if experts here can tell me if they believe there is any
validity to String Theory? I saw a lot of speculation, but no
evidence. They believe that when the new particle accelerator is
finished, they will find evidence.

What does "valid" mean? At this point the theory is a mathematical construct
that elegantly explains many observations. I would say the theory is valid
because it is testable and falsifiable. So far, however, those experiments have
not been done, or have been inconclusive. New equipment should allow for
experiments in the next few years that offer firm evidence one way or the other.
In the meantime, it is fair to call it a valid theory that is largely lacking
support (or refutation) by experimental evidence. This is a normal stage that
all theories must go through.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

(Odysseus) wrote in message . com...
Hello all,

A few months ago I watched a PBS documentary on String Theory. I was
wondering if experts here can tell me if they believe there is any
validity to String Theory? I saw a lot of speculation, but no
evidence. They believe that when the new particle accelerator is
finished, they will find evidence.

Thanks.

String theory today (after many many years of development) is just
now becoming useful.

In a pendanic sense, it is not yet a theory, as it has made no
predictions and solved no problems that cannot also be solved with
the standard model. However, there is general agreement that the
standard model is missing something and every once in a while
experiments from the particle accelerators give a glimmer that
the standard model is not quite right. In addition, with precise
confirmation that the universe is expanding at an accelerating
rate and the confirmation of dark matter and dark energy (COBE,
MAP) there is a lot of pieces to a puzzel to be fit together
into either the standard model or something else with string
theories in the running.

There are 5 or 6 competing theories and these seem to be
different way of looking at the same (as yet undetermined)
thing(s). M-theory is a way to combine all the competing
string theories into a cogent package. There is still much
work left to do before any or all of these things becomes
real theories and allow significant advancement of our
understanding of the universe and the physics that takes
place within.

(Odysseus) wrote in message . com...
Hello all,

A few months ago I watched a PBS documentary on String Theory. I was
wondering if experts here can tell me if they believe there is any
validity to String Theory? I saw a lot of speculation, but no
evidence. They believe that when the new particle accelerator is
finished, they will find evidence.

Thanks.

String theory today (after many many years of development) is just
now becoming useful.

In a pendanic sense, it is not yet a theory, as it has made no
predictions and solved no problems that cannot also be solved with
the standard model. However, there is general agreement that the
standard model is missing something and every once in a while
experiments from the particle accelerators give a glimmer that
the standard model is not quite right. In addition, with precise
confirmation that the universe is expanding at an accelerating
rate and the confirmation of dark matter and dark energy (COBE,
MAP) there is a lot of pieces to a puzzel to be fit together
into either the standard model or something else with string
theories in the running.

There are 5 or 6 competing theories and these seem to be
different way of looking at the same (as yet undetermined)
thing(s). M-theory is a way to combine all the competing
string theories into a cogent package. There is still much
work left to do before any or all of these things becomes
real theories and allow significant advancement of our
understanding of the universe and the physics that takes
place within.

It is valid, as a theory, as are other theories such as Geocentric Universe,
Flat Earth, etc.
However it is unproven and perhaps even unjustified.
Clear, Dark, Steady Skies!
(And considerate neighbors!!!)