  We argue that the following three statements cannot all be true: (i) our
vacuum is a type IIB / F-theory vacuum at moderate-to-large $h^{1,1}$, (ii) the
$\alpha'$-expansion is controlled via the supergravity approximation, \`a la
the KKLT and LVS scenarios, and (iii) there are no additional gauged sectors
from seven-branes. Since nearly all known globally consistent F-theory models
with the exact chiral spectrum of the Standard Model and gauge coupling
unification occur at moderate $h^{1,1}$, this finding calls for new moduli
stabilization scenarios or/and a rich seven-brane dark sector.

High Energy Physics - Theory;High Energy Physics - Phenomenology