Finite-N Conformality and Gauge Coupling Unification

In this talk I review some aspects of the idea that there is an infra-red conformal fixed-point at the TeV scale. In particular, it is shown how gauge coupling unification can be achieved by TeV unification in a semi-simple gauge group.Comment: 9 pages LaTeX. Invited talk at the 10th Tohwa International Symposium on String Theory, Fukuoka, Japan. July 3-7, 200

Remarks on the Cosmological Constant

The acceleration of the surface of last scatter (SLS) must somehow reflect the energy content within it. A test particle at the SLS is assumed to experience a linear combination of two forces: one Newtonian, the other pseudo-Newtonian describable by a cosmological constant ${\Lambda}$ in general relativity. In the ${\Lambda}$ description, which is surely too unimaginative, the size of ${\Lambda}$ reflects only the comparable magnitudes of the Newtonian and pseudo-Newtonian forces; any claim of fine tuning due to quantum mechanics is probably illusory.Comment: 6 pages, no figures; improved versio