On predictions: In the tangle model, all predictions on the lack of physics beyond the standard model are *deduced* from one single fundamental principle about strands fluctuating at the Planck scale. The predictions are *not* assumptions. Only the fundamental principle is an assumption. The fundamental principle is general and abstract. And of course, exploring all other ideas on the origin of the standard model remains an important task.
On the particle model: particles are made of tangles that fluctuate. Strands are not observable, but their crossing switches are. For this reason particles are effectively point-like (more precisely, of Planck scale size). The tangle model for particles implies the full standard model. All physical observables, all particles and all fields are emergent from strands. As mentioned, the details are described in paper at the free link rdcu.be/cdwSI provided by SpringerNature. The paper should help understanding of the general ideas and of the the way that quantum theory, quantum field theory and the Lagrangian of the standard model arise. The tangle model also proposes a model for the gluons, described in the paper.
On tests: The strand conjecture proposes many ways to falsify it. There is a specific page collecting all experimental tests and predictions (formulated as bets): www.motionmountain.net/bet.
On the general ideas: A simple introduction is in the self-contained talk slides that can be read by themselves, found at the top of www.motionmountain.net/research.
On gravitation: The other questions asked (except the one on consciousness) are addressed on the research page. For example, the lack of particles beyond the standard model restricts the options on dark matter. The research page also proposes a way that gravity, general relativity and a (limited) number of quantum gravity effects results from strands. Testable predictions on these topics are also deduced and listed.
