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.