Random values of the physical parameters

The Standard Model has a unique ground state (modulo SU(2)L rotations) and the 19 parameters of the model are uniquely fixed. However, when considering theories beyond the Standard Model, we have no evidence that this uniqueness will be preserved. In particular, string theory has continuous families of ground states, each with different values of the physical parameters, and we presently do not know the mechanism that distinguishes among them. Is the unique ground state of string theory that one with SU(3) X SU(2) X U(1) and mu = 3 MeV, md = 6 MeV etc.? An alternative is that many, perhaps all, of the ground states can be realized in different regions of the universe, depending in some way on the past history of that region. At present we have no reason to rule out this possibility. However, if this is the case, we need to approach the theory in fundamentally different ways. This talk is devoted to some preliminary work in the context of random physical parameters.