21. Some physicists still maintain that for all the conceptual revolutions in string theory, there is little to show but a lot of beautiful mathematics. 22. Still, string theory is far from dead. 23. String theory, for example, could accommodate changes in quantities that accepted physics theory considers immutable. 24. The first wave of excitement came when theorists realized that the five different string theories were just varying perspectives of the same underlying idea. 25. The result was a huge triumph for string theory. 26. The same day the Internet story surfaced, a prime-time television program was broadcast on, of all things, string theory. 27. They would, perhaps, invoke compelling science fiction writers like Neal Stephenson and deal more with computer science and arcane physics like string theory. 28. Understanding string theory is, by comparison, Dr. Seuss-like in its simplicity. 29. What other surprises await in string theory? 30. Physicists hope string theory will unlock the mysteries of black holes and the origins of the universe. |