[TickleSteve]

Isn't this really the "dream" scenario??

The current state is that we have evidence that the current theories are not correct which leaves a gap for new theories to fill.

Sounds like an exciting area to be working in right now if you ask me (unfortunately, I'm not!).

[GolDDranks]

We know that the current theories aren't correct anyway. Or more accurately, they are correct only in low-energy conditions, and can't say anything about high-energy conditions.

This is "nightmare scenario" because we knew that the theories aren't correct, but we hoped for some results that would guide and inspire new theories. Either way we know that we aren't done yet, but the current state is like being in a featureless void, unable to know where to direct one's efforts.

Or so I have heard.

[TickleSteve]

...so we should expect a period of wild speculation in physics with some fairly interesting experimentation to prove (or falsify) those theories.

(I'm not a physicist), but is it possible to almost automate some of the discovery process to attempt to turn up new leads? (or is the search-space too large for this to be reasonable?).

[gaius]

It's a nightmare because the last 50 years of science have led to a dead end, with no clue as to the next path to take.

[Chris2048]

Maybe the new physics will allow anti-gravity sneakers? Not such a nightmare after all...