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string theory lied to us and now science communication is hard

Angela Collier · commentary · Watch on YouTube

Scientific method & science communicationFundamental physics

What it is

Physicist Angela Collier's roughly hour-long video on how string theory was hyped to the public and what that did to science communication. She traces the history of the theory as a narrative and argues it is interesting but was oversold.

Why Hacker News recommends it

Recommended as an engaging critique of string theory hype and its effect on public trust in physics, and often cited alongside Peter Woit's writing.

  • 8 people recommended it
  • 5 different months
  • 2 strong recommendations
  • first 2023, last 2026

What HN commenters said

  1. “This [1] is a fantastic refutation of string theory”

    Refutation of string theory's share of research funding.

    echelon, 2024-02 · Strong recommendation · in “In a 'Dark Dimension,' Physicists Search for the Universe's Missing Matter”

  2. “while the video is nearly an hour long, it feels much shorter and is well worth watching”

    Nearly an hour long but feels shorter.

    sockmeistr, 2024-03 · Strong recommendation · in “20 Years of "Not Even Wrong"”

  3. “I enjoyed the video "String Theory Lied to Us and Now Science Communication is Hard"[4]”

    How string theory hype affects physicists and public perception.

    seanhunter, 2024-03 · Recommendation · in “20 Years of "Not Even Wrong"”

  4. “Woit linked to her video at , so he at least seems to appreciate it.”

    Covers string theory critique; Woit linked to it.

    thaumaturgy, 2024-03 · Recommendation · in “20 Years of "Not Even Wrong"”

  5. “Collier has a video on the history of string theory as a narrative”

    History of string theory narrative and its effect on public perception.

    nick238, 2024-03 · Recommendation · in “The humiliating truth behind Harvard astronomer's alien spherules”

  6. “I’ve found this explainer by Angela Collier super helpful in understanding the current state of string theory.”

    Helpful explainer on the current state of string theory.

    johnkpaul, 2024-08 · Recommendation · in “The Elegant Universe: 25th Anniversary Edition”

  7. “I'm particularly fond of how Angela Collier laid out the timeline of string theory in her video on it[0]”

    Timeline of string theory and consequences for science communication.

    Shawnecy, 2024-10 · Recommendation · in “Fundamental physics is dying? [video]”

  8. “this video by Angela Collier is a fun watch”

    Fun watch on string theory and science communication.

    carrozo, 2026-01 · Recommendation · in “The string theory hype machine will never die”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: string theory, physics, science communication, hype, history of physics

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