It seem you read a lot. Thats good. Your right about the predictions. This idea was set forth in 1905, in July or August I think. You must recall that his special theory was blunder just because of the conditions you point out. However "SuperString Theory" has crested the horizon. It quite plainly implys that general and special relitivity must work in tandum(together).
When desending the "matter ladder" one reaches a point where general relitivity breaks down. If we "assend" the "matter ladder" starting with, for instance, a proton and work our way up, then there comes a point where quantum theorys are no longer needed because we can see and touch the matter in question. A machro world.
SuperString Theory bridges the "Fuzzy" gap between gen & spl relitivity; like the wave/particle problem with the photon,and other issues to many to go over here.
By the way, I'd go with 10(80) particles, trust me.
A "STRING" is so tiny that if theory proves out the number of particles may jump to 10(94) particles. If an atom were exploded to the size of the solar system, a string would be about the size of the highest point on the planet(Mt. Everest).
Now, ---this infinity problem. I, like you sound, don't think there are infinitys. SuperString Theory does not require them. These values are just so small, or large, that we have not devised a way to measure them yet. The speed of light is a problem. Oh well---. You know we did find that the cosmic background radiation "IS" a bit varied to one direction but only by 1/100,000. By this we know toward which galaxy we are heading. But before we could get into space this could not be predicted and verfied and people were laughed at. Once we could precisely measure it and confirm theorys "It's undeterminable value" title was cast off. And it will someday be that way for the conditions set forth in the Big Bang and the formation of black holes,-- and even if OMEGA,s value really is 1 or not.
Don't capitulate. Hold your beleifs. Someday there will be no infinity.
L8R
--"After all is said and done, "Gravity Rules."--