Observations on the Space of Four Dimensional String and M theory Vacua

The space of four dimensional string and M theory vacua with non-Abelian gauge symmetry, chiral fermions and unbroken supersymmetry beyond the electroweak scale appears to be a disconnected space whose different components represent distinct universality classes of vacua. Calculating statistical distributions of physical observables a la Douglas therefore requires that the distinct components are carefully accounted for. We highlight some classes of vacua which deserve further study and suggest an argument which may serve to rule out vacua which are small perturbations of supersymmetric AdS4. Summary of a talk given at the occasion of the retirement of David Olive, University of Wales, Swansea, March 2004 [email protected]