Loop Quantum Gravity: Four Recent Advances and a Dozen Frequently Asked Questions

As per organizers' request, my talk at the 11th Marcel Grossmann Conference consisted of two parts. In the first, I illustrated recent advances in loop quantum gravity through examples. In the second, I presented an overall assessment of the status of the program by addressing some frequently asked questions. This account is addressed primarily to researchers outside the loop quantum gravity community.Comment: 21 pages, to appear in the Proceedings of the 11th Marcel Grossmann Conferenc