The Landscape "avant la lettre"

TL;DR

This paper presents a translation of an inaugural speech discussing the early ideas of the anthropic landscape in string theory, highlighting its conceptual development for a general audience.

Contribution

It provides historical insight into the initial presentation of the anthropic landscape concept in string theory, predating many modern developments.

Findings

Introduces the foundational ideas of the anthropic landscape in string theory.

Highlights the historical context and evolution of the concept.

Serves as a translation of a significant speech from 1998.

Abstract

This is a translation of an inaugural speech given originally in Dutch in 1998. The topic of that speech, intended for a general audience, was what is now called "The Anthropic Landscape of String Theory".