According to well-known arguments, classical, deterministic systems cannot reproduce all fundamental quantum phenomena. However, when one decides to ignore the no-go theorems and tries to construct deterministic models anyway, it seems that lots of interesting models emerge. Until some time ago, it seemed to be hopeless to construct deterministic models that could account for the Standard Model, but we found a deterministic system that very accurately seems to reproduce (super)string theory. Such an idea would revolutionize string theory, but would contradict the no-go theorems. We discuss this peculiar situation in theoretical physics. Does the notion of “invisible conspiracy” make sense?

Institut for Theoretical Physics, Utrecht