The long overdue major step in what Feynman called "The Next Great Awakening" (in human understanding of the cosmos) will probably be made by someone like a relatively :) unknown patent inspector who is happy to think independently from the inadequately tested assumptions that tend to impede progress. Theoretical physics has been spinning its wheels for 5 decades (many promises, but little delivered) because its leading prophets are unwilling to seriously question fundamental assumptions. Although they say they need to and will do so, they don't.