Penrose: String Theory is not Physics

Physics Nobel Prize (2020), renowned physicist and mathematician, Sir Roger Penrose expresses his view that String Theory (aka "Theory of Nothing") is not Physics due to its lack of connections with a strong empirical basis.

[vaidphysics]

Is he saying all that straight to Brian Greene's face??? Priceless. Roger Penrose is such an icon!

[bigisland]

One of the most important 20/21 Century men

[johnlay]

I totally agree with Roger. If a theory cannot be tested, then it is not science. It is a philosophy written in mathematical language. One level up on the intellectual ladder from the old Greek philosophies.

[martymodus]

The emperor has no clothes... Except it's a brilliant mathematician pointing out the obvious instead of a child.

[happylameo]

Only Nobel prize winner in the panel there

[bernhardbauer]

Witten knows that string theorie is not physics. But it is nice mathematics.

[jkonrad]

Only the geniuses can get away with hair like that. ❤

[GSPV]

Penrose is great, but this comment section is grossly dogmatic. Physics isn't about 'owning the stablishment' or battling teams, either. Everything in String Theory has been part of a valuable process - collaboratively modeling ideas of how the universe may work, and seeing if any opportunities open up to test.

[johnbonnice]

Yes. It's speculative physics, not experimental physics.

[gjvpwke]

I AGREE.❤ STRING THEORY IS NOT SCIENCE.

[MarjanSI]

I just love u Penrose, just a great Mind ❤🙏

[carlodave]

String Theory: When you have advanced physics degrees but can’t bring yourself to simply say I have no effing clue.

[JakubS]

String theory is just Mathematicians LARPing as Physicists lmao

[Thomas-gk]

Exactly what Sabine Hossenfelder wrote in her book "Lost in Math" from 2018.

[DDCrp]

Love Dr Penrose! So thankful I had a chance to listen to him in my 20s. His brilliance shines through 🌞

[billcook]

String theory is now making measurable predictions, for example black hole entropy, and is looking more and more convincing. I'm with Brian on this one, sorry Rog'.

[MUTiger]

Thank goodness! As a layperson, I seem completely incapable of understanding String Theory, now I can say, "Hey, it's not really physics. It's higher math. Not my thing!"

[effyleven]

"As far as *I* can see..."
Ah... there's your problem right there. Lack of vision.

[tigerlord]

Those mathematicians have gone berserk. The maths needed for theoretical Physics is too hard for ordinary Physicists which opens the door for Mathematicians and they make up convoluted theories which have no connection with reality.

[PhysicsHonors]

Daaaamn, right in front of Brian greene