We do not know how to formulate string theory nor do we know its underlying principles. Surprisingly, this fact does not stop us from making progress.
Nathan SeibergI am almost certain that space and time are illusions. These are primitive notions that will be replaced by something more sophisticated.
Nathan SeibergThe standard model gives us an accuracy of ten decimal digits, this is an amazing success that has never been achieved before in science.
Nathan SeibergWhat will the greatest experiment discover? I have no idea!, maybe nothing!, If we won't check, we will never know. In science there is never a guarantee of success. If you understood this last sentence, then you understood the most important message of this lecture.
Nathan SeibergNewton's theory is not 'not right', it just does not cover all distances. Contrary to popular belief, theories in science are not proven wrong, they are just replaced by more complete and convenient theories. To sound provocative, even the geocentric theory was never "proven" wrong, it is just not as convenient as the heliocentric theory, since it requires endless epicycles.
Nathan Seiberg