The discussion revolves around the identity of a knowledgeable figure featured on the "Elegant Universe" show, identified as Ed Witten, who is credited with unifying five separate string theories into M-Theory. Participants recall their experiences during the mid-90s when confusion about string theory was prevalent among post-graduate students, leading to significant debates about concepts like varying speed of light. The conversation also touches on the perception of Witten's voice, questioning societal norms regarding gendered voice characteristics. One contributor challenges the assumption that a voice's pitch should correlate with gender, suggesting a survey to test this bias. Overall, the thread highlights the complexities of scientific discourse and societal perceptions of gender.