What effect will a viable quantum theory of gravity have on?
It will bring closer a unified field theory in some form, as it’s still the only one of the 4 fundamental forces (+ strong, weak, electromagnetic) that has not been detected in its quantum form, neither as particles nor waves. While the hypotheses have good theoretical confidence, evidence would take it to a different level and allow real confidence in the theory. An accurate understanding would allow this unification to proceed. Theories like Superstring, M, or similar, involving 11 dimensions or more could all fall into place. If the 4 forces can be unified, that will bring closer an explanation as to why our universe’s initial conditions were as they were. It could lead, via other hypotheses becoming theories, to a much fuller understanding to the origin of the universe, and its place in the grandest scheme of things. So, it will help to close a knowledge gap that is still used by some godistas to claim a god must exist, via a “god of the gaps” method. I’m sure you’ve heard the typi
