Does anyone know whats currently happening with 'string theory'?

Question

I've read that physicists, cosmologists and mathematicians have nearly given up using string theory to explain the universe and the 'nature of things'.

Answer 1

The most recent updates on the string theories I've read is M-Theory.  It doesn't make the previous string theories wrong, it helps show the similarities between them.  The M-Theory uses the idea of multidimensional "membranes".  I'd like to read a little more on this as well.

Answer 2

Its silly.

Get it?

Silly String Theory.

(d**n, I crack me up)

Answer 3

Here is an article from Feb. 2007 about a possible test of string theory.

Michael John Weaver, M.S.

Answer 4

String theory, unfortunately, is not yet a theory despite the popular label. Because almost none of it is directly testable, it would be more accurately called "String Hypothesis". In the world of science, if you can't move past hypothesis, you're at a dead end. That's the problem that proponents of string theory are facing at the moment. "At the end of the day, if string theory does not provide us with a testable prediction—whether it be in the context of elementary particle physics or cosmology and black hole physics—then nobody should believe it." -- Prof. Sylvester James Gates Jr, Univ of MD.

Amusingly enough, some paranormalists seem to have an interest in string theory because it postulates many alternate dimensions which they think might give rise to PSI (although no mechanism for this seems to be forthcoming) or in which spirits may dwell. "The reality of higher dimensions, and its interactions with our 3D world, opens the door to the possibility of many phenomena today considered metaphysical." - Ulysses Castillo

See the NOVA link for more information on the current state of string theory.

Answer 5

Mathematicians and physicists are trying to utilize the concepts to string theory to resolve problems that cannot be explained in particle physics and cosmology.  They are taking an approach similar to Einstein's process for producing the Theory of Relativity.  Through imagined scenarios, they are constructing mathematical models and physics equations which are helping them to get closer to describing the universe.

Some people completely focus on the concepts of "alternative dimensions" and "ghost worlds", but that is not the main focus of string theory.  The major current efforts in string theory is describing the origin of the universe (big bang, bunches of bangs), describing the origin of primary forces like gravity, and envisioning how the universe would look from a perspective outside of our universe.

What does all of this mean?  You can find some info at this web site:

http://superstringtheory.com/

To truly understand these theories and how they are currently being studied, you must understand advanced physics and a substantial amount of advanced mathematics.  Good luck in your search!

Answer 6

11 dimensional string theory, (and 26 dimensional M theory), has not produced anything.

It is possible that the extra 7 dimensions of space in string theory, (that are not perceived), are mathematical deception that first appeared with 5 dimensional Kaluza-Klein Theory.

String theory is possibly deception involving adding dimensions of space to the already existing 3 dimensions of space one dimension at a time at 90 degree angles to the previous dimension.

That string theory is possibly invalid is stated at the end of the wikipedia article on string theory.

Answer 7

They just got all tied up in their equations. It is most definitely a knotty problem.

Answer 8

I have never heard it discussed with any seriousness, beyond speculation.

Answer 9

'Fraid not.

(Get it?  Frayed knot?  It's a string?)