Do we need String Theory for Quantum Gravity? - Lance Dixon (SETI Talks)

[PelicanGodOfJupiter]

I'm impressed that theoretical particle physicists have mastered the art of hovering presentation screens that *look* as though they've been added in post production!

[setiinstitute]

@PelicanGodOfJupiter Yes, it takes alot of Strings to pull off this illusion. :-)

[twl81]

@sonicase curvatarure of space time is equivalent to gravity in general relativity, hence gravity affects photons (which are massless). String theory is simply a tool used to incorporate gravity into QM, it requires no evidence for its actual existence, only that it agrees with data.

[sonicase]

he says gravity has an effect on all particles, however there are massless particles (gauge bosons). i know light can be bent around a large mass like a star but i think space is just curved around it. so it's not really the gravity.

i'm a particle physics noob but that part seemed a little iffy.

there's been no real evidence for string theory(i think). it makes me wonder if we're over complicating the situation like astronomers were over complicating the movement of the planets before kepler