i would say string theory contains within it a more natural multiverse than does cosmology in the inflationary multiverse. Inflation can oc continuously for all eternity and that produces an infinite number by virtue of the fact that given a finite probability to create a universe per unit time times an infinite time, you'll produce infinite numbers of universes. It's actually impossible to put in what this initial con ton or boundary conditions are for the for the vast possibility of quanti mechanical states that string theory could produce. i think it is true that it could be construed as almost hopelesslike if i tell you, michael, you're the chief of the n s f, and i said this to