[AdmSmith]

Mathematical structures are universal and some of them can be used as a box of tools for some sciences.

The problem with String Theory is that it is a machinery that takes a very long time to handle for the average PhD physics student. When you have been struggling with the mathematics for several years it still does not give you a nice answer as the equations are very difficult to calculate. We need a Witten II that can provide some insight and exclude some of the possibilities that so far are possible in String Theory.

Until that person will materialize my advice to a young PhD candidate is to stay away and go into some other fields of Physics. Note, I am not saying that String Theory is wrong, I just do not know.

[AdmSmith]

Follow the fight:

the "stringer" Lubos Motl; http://motls.blogspot.com/2004/12/ny-times-20-years-of-strings.html

and the "non-stringer" Peter Woit http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/blog/

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for sharing your insight - and thanks for the links!

When you have been struggling with the mathematics for several years it still does not give you a nice answer as the equations are very difficult to calculate.

Indeed. Perhaps string theory is like art, where if it doesn't make sense early on - then it is better not to struggle with it?