--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I’ve spent something like 17 years…" description: "\"I’ve spent something like 17 years working on a theory for which there is essentially no direct experimental support.\" — Brian Greene" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/brian-greene-2334_direct_i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-worki_1383382.png" --- # I’ve spent something like 17 years working on a theory for… ![“I’ve spent something like 17 years working on a theory for which there is essentially no direct experimental support.” quote by Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/brian-greene-2334_direct_i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-worki_1383382.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/brian-greene-2334_direct_i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-worki_1383382.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/brian-greene-2334_direct_i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-worki_1383382.png) > “I’ve spent something like 17 years working on a theory for which there is essentially no direct experimental support.” [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Long‑term research without experimental evidence can be intellectually stimulating but risks detachment from reality. **In simple terms:** Theory without data is risky. Key Takeaway Balance speculation with testable predictions. Themes science philosophy patience Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic research - fundamental physics - grant proposals Key Concepts theory empiricism innovation Questions to Reflect On - How do you justify such work? - What could make it testable? A Different Perspective Lack of data may limit funding and impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) ## Related quotes > [(Game theory is) essentially a structural theory. 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Corey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-s-a-corey/) Browse all 3,391 Direct quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I’ve spent something like 17 years working on a theory for which there is essentially no direct experimental support.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Brian Greene" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-working-on-a-theory-for-which/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Direct" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-working-on-a-theory-for-which/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/brian-greene-2334_direct_i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-worki_1383382.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/brian-greene-2334_direct_i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-worki_1383382.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/brian-greene-2334_direct_i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-worki_1383382.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I’ve spent something like 17 years working on a theory for which there is essentially no direct experimental…” — Brian Greene", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brian Greene", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I’ve spent something like 17 years...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-working-on-a-theory-for-which/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/i-ve-spent-something-like-17-years-working-on-a-theory-for-which/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```