Are strings still our best hope for a theory of everything?

Plus: Rigor is vital in math, but are digitized proofs taking it too far?; When coupled volcanoes talk, these researchers listen; David Dunning Q&A

Math and Science News from Quanta Magazine View this email in your browser QUALIA | ALL TOPICS   Are Strings Still Our Best Hope for a Theory of Everything? By NATALIE WOLCHOVER Columnist Natalie Wolchover examines the latest developments in the "forever war" over whether string theory can describe the world. Read the article FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS   In Math, Rigor Is Vital. But Are Digitized Proofs Taking It Too Far? By LEILA SLOMAN The quest to make mathematics rigorous has a long and spotty history — one mathematicians can learn from as they push to formalize everything in the computer program Lean. Read the article GEOPHYSICS   When Coupled Volcanoes Talk, These Researchers Listen By ROBIN GEORGE ANDREWS Around the world, volcanologists are following the path of magma as it travels between connected volcanoes, in an effort that could lead to improved eruption forecasts. Read the article Q&A   How Writing Changes Mathematical Thought By JOHN PAVLUS David E. Dunning explores how mathematical notation is a social, world-building technology. Read the article THE QUANTA PODCAST   Uniting a Century of Digital and Analog Astronomy Podcast hosted by SAMIR PATEL with LIZ KRUESI Around the world, glass photographic plates from old telescopes are at risk. On them lies a history of our ever-changing cosmos. Listen (Apple) | Listen (Spotify) Read the article Follow Quanta Unsubscribe | About Quanta | My Bookmarks Privacy Policy | Terms | Contact Us   Copyright © 2025 Quanta Magazine, an editorially independent division of the Simons Foundation Simons Foundation 160 5th Avenue, 7th Floor New York, NY 10010