Brane theory sure sounds that way. It seems like their setting around making up things that are so far out that they could never be proved so they will be accepted as a viable theory.
I agree with you it sounds that way.
I once had a math-physics prof who liked to do cosmology "on the side". He said it was fun because no one could prove anything
.
However, brane theory is a good example of how progress is made on the bleeding edge of science. Many crazy ideas are made up over coffee or beer (I've sat back and watched some of that happen). Most of them don't make it out of the coffee room. Someone points out a serious flaw in the first few minutes.
But some make it a bit further. Some real math is done and it sort of hangs together. It may then be enough for a speculative paper or two. Branes are not elevated to the status of a viable theory yet. I don't think they are much above the speculation level (but I could be wrong since I can't handle the math). Already though the next stage is being entered.
Now it is necessary to see if there is any way to test the idea. Can it be falsified? Does it predict anything new that can be tested? Is there any possible experiment?
If none of those is try it will end up as an interesting side branch waiting, perhaps, for an advance in technology. If it has a lot of interesting conseqences from the math it may continue to get some attention though. For example, if it can "predict" the relative strength of gravity accurately in some way, it will get much more attention.
I'm not an expert but I think that the idea of branes will get some attention for awhile but will slow right down if no tests or interesting math comes out of it. It is definitely
not anything like a full blown, formal, tested theory.
This message has been edited by NosyNed, 06-03-2004 04:53 PM
This message has been edited by NosyNed, 06-03-2004 04:55 PM