The last I heard now called the M-theory has 11 dimensions.
Steve,
You are correct. M-Theory now has 11 dimensions. Actually they adopted that from the Super Gravity folks to explain the fact that there were four different string theories.
So they decided that adding the 11th dimension would allow them to have a parent theory.
In the end all that did was create a 5th String Theory.
All I am saying is that they may be right and they may be wrong. However they are NOWHERE near understanding the Universe to start expounding the “Real” nature of the Universe.
In fact many people say that a whole new branch of Mathematics will have to be created to solve these problems.
And suddenly borrowing and lending energy from alternate universes is a cheap and lazy way to try and solve your problems.