"The hot big bang standard theory is undoubtedly very impressive and probably true as far as it goes. The big bang is no longer a matter of debate, but one needs to keep in mind that the big bang is not the same as the creation or absolute beginning of the universe. While the standard model is reliable I am much less convinced by its extensions to the time regimes even closer to the magical moment t = 0. Inflation is not yet proved and pre-inflation scenarios seem very speculative. The same is the case with various theories of a universe before the big bang, although such theories cannot be ruled out. It is too early to say with certainty that the age of the universe is finite."