An attack against not very cordial string theory

Lee Smolin sees five major problems in physics today: quantum gravity, the foundations of quantum mechanics, the unification of particles and laws, constants and values ​​of the free nature of matter and dark energy .
Of these 5 problems, string theory does not propose a solution for one of them: the unification of particles and laws. But this theory can not be tested using current technology. This is a real impasse, because a theory that can not be subject to experience, can never be falsified, and therefore can never be considered true either.
On top of that, string theory is dependent on the geometry of space and not independent as the general theory of relativity of Einstein.

The author proposes three basic ideas to tackle the problem of quantum gravity: the emergence of space, everything in the universe is discrete and causality is fundamental to its description.
Better superstring theory that is curly quantum gravity, which is independent of the geometry of space. This theory could possibly indicate that the universe existed before the Big Bang. But its main problem is to find a formula to unlock time (to represent time without having to transform into space).
Lee Smolin's book is a gold mine for those who want to know more about the current state of physics. This current state should make us very humble, because it demonstrates that we know only 4% of the universe, because 26% of it is dark matter and 70% dark energy.

Lee Smolin explains clearly gauge theory (all the properties of a force can be determined by symmetries) or the importance of spontaneous symmetry breaking, which proves that the properties of elementary particles depend in part on their history and their environment.

Lee Smolin is also launching a frontal attack against the dictatorship of string theorists in universities, which account for almost all funding for basic research.

This book is required reading for all those interested in the world in which we live.