[Pontiac]

But if theories are being passed off as science, shouldn’t they have at least a remote chance of being empirically corroborated? Otherwise, how do they differ from pseudoscientific ideas like intelligent design?

AT least intelligent design is privately funded. If it is a waste at least it is wasted money voluntarily given and not money taken from individuals by force.

[Trumpinator]

There is a theory out there that has some reproducible results in the lab that shows the universe operates like a virtual simulation. That sounds very much like intelligent design to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_yPsGCbKaY