http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-string-theory-science/
   I posted something about this recent conference last week, but
   this is another report of it, this time from Scientific
   American. One of the marvelous things about the Sciences is that
   they're pretty tough. Scrutiny and public debate can't squash
   it. If it's describing things well, it works and works well, no
   matter "the slings and arrow of outrageous fortune". [fortune
   not meaning money but rather "fates" - fortunate and unfortunate
   alike]
   So, no harm done with discussions like these. It's been brewing
   a long time and the results, even if they are no more than
   opening a public discussion, should prove interesting if nothing
   else.