Help find the end of the string?

[xelasnave]

I am not a scientist although I read everything that claims to be such.
I gather that a “theory” in order to be called same in the science world requires ingredients to establish it as more than a mere idea . A theory makes predictions and draws on experiment to support its continued existence. So I am puzzled that “string theory” has had such a good run without coming up with anything..or has it .
It must be a worry for someone who has devoted their life to working on the “theory” and find that sinking feeling creeping in that it’s not going anywhere.
But surely the prospect that trillions of possible six-dimensional geometries exist, each calling into existence a unique Universe (page 33 Astronomy February 2007) must leave one wondering if such could be a possibility that does not defy reason.
I am very happy if such a situation can exist as I guess all my ideas are correct as there will be a Universe out there that will entertain whatever I propose one could think...and my only problem is that I have somehow found myself in the wrong Universe and that somewhere everything I say is correct.
We need math for science but it seems to project numbers to reach strange results. The big bang has been arrived at by taking an observation that the Universe appears to be expanding and from that drawn a conclusion that if expanding then at some point must have started at a single point. The math followed happily to support the idea not worried that such an approach could be seen as moroshopic. Now all are trying to prove the conclusion correct seemingly having thrown the steady state concept out the window.
Given that string theory is one of the supporters for inflation (an idea to me as I see no proof or other matters to let it enjoy "theory" status.Inflation is a necessary ingredient in the big bang theory so I ask could it not be that the concept of inflation needs also to be thrown out and something more workable found? By sticking on the course chosen can we ever consider the other possibilities that are raised from observing an expanding Universe?
ANYWAYS does anyone have any thing that offers hope for string theory ideas from their insight on string theory? Can you offer a reasonable overview of the concepts that arise from the playing with sums? It just seems to me that the razor has been held back from dealing a fatal slash upon this idea of string theory..which is I suspect claiming to be a theory when in fact it has trouble being seen as even a smart idea.
Any thoughts as it is easy to read a little and think you know a lot and I recognise that could be my problem here .
Alex

[xelasnave]

Yes alex I tend to agree with you ...
Seeing no one has any views let me add some more .

Evidence for extra dimensional possibilities is referred to in the article...
"we have a number of hints from experiments and theoretical ideas that make us think they're probably out there" says Joseph Lykken, a physicist at Fermi National Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois. "That’s why were so excited about looking for them"..

l get excited about finding unicorns but does not mean I will spend 30 years telling everyone they exist... just find one ..its that simple .

One would think firstly "hints" "that make us think" "they are probably out there" is just a little slim in the raw fact department when one is seeking to float the idea that trillions of Universes exist....each with 6 dimensions
and supersymmetry is dead in the water if extra dimensions do not exist ... the string idea can not live without this vital (for its purposes) inclusion in the deal .
When this (string ideas) is being floated as cutting edge science how can one slam the door on intelligent design ...really are all involved so tangelled in string and scarred they wont find a job if not for string they can not say they are working on a dead duck?
How can people working on this find any credibility in their work?
I know, I know, I am uneducated how could I possibly have a mind developed enough to understand the higher complexities of "string theory" but I ask where is the famous razor has it been abandoned ???... I object to shows such as "Supernatural" on TV , so it is unpleasant to find such great minds wasted on trying to still establish a half baked string idea in an effort to link quantum mechanics and the standard model at any cost to reason . Or does it continue so Mr. B Greene and others can sell books and DVD’s seeking to titillate folk who will believe anything served up to them .
Could not the brain power and allocation of resources be better managed to work on something significant and offering more hope after 30 years of unproductive research .

alex

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Alex, if the Universe is spherical and finite then your end of the string is in your hand where it started. In such universe all straight lines will form a circle and return to the point of origin.

[xelasnave]

Mmmm maybe thats why "strings"are often shown in artist impressions as round.... although one dimensional. Small scale often can reflect large scale.
I will think about that thanks Karl.
alex

[Dujon]

I have just finished my empirical test of your hypothesis, Karl. I can assure you that you are wrong.

After unravelling some 300 metres of my wife's gardening twine I find that the little ball of stuff did indeed have two ends. To test my results I snipped a metre off one end and, voila!, I produced two strings, both of which had two ends. My problem at this point in time is to put this mini-universe back together again (yes, I've nicknamed the problem 'Humpty').

Any and all practical advice you might be able to give me to attain this all consuming goal would be well received. Time constraints apply as the good wife will be home in 8 hours or so.

[Karls48 (Karl)]

Right, your string is little bit too short. Extend it to about 27 billion light years and see what will happen. And it would work only if the Universe is spherical and finite.

[Dujon]

Thanks, Karl. Unfortunately your kind advice arrive approximately one hour later than was needed. Have you ever encountered a ferocious horticulturist in a bad mood?

I have managed to disentangle myself from the 299 metres of 'stuff' - mainly due to the loss of excess baggage over the last few days - and am, I think, recovering well.

I now have to do 500 hours of community service (that's my wife's idea of mowing lawns, weeding, watering and generally nurturing her precious garden) PLUS ravelling the jolly string.

It's the last practical experiment that I will undertake I can assure you; from now on it's mind exercises.