String Theory a Dead End?

Haelfix

While much of the work of interest to mathematicians came from TQFT and Supersymmetric ideas in differential geometry, at least some comes from pure String theory. Not all of these are due to Witten.

Considerable work and understanding of Calabi Yau's topological features have been made possible somewhat miraculously through String theory.

Also, relevance in problem solving w.r.t to noncommutative geometry and twistor theory --> Gauge theory seem to pop up here and there.

I have no idea about the theories ultimate physical significance, but I do thing there is something rather deep involved in the mathematics going on, and the really bizarre coincidences and dualities that mysteriously emerge. For that reason, ST will remain an active mathematical subject.

marcus

sounds like thoughtful balanced judgement Haelfix and some of your brief comment on other subjects at PF have stood the test of time (the couple of years or so I have been listening)
plus this is roughly in line with what i hear other knowledgeable people saying---namely that as physics it might or might not be a dead end, but as mathematics it evidently is not. You mention a couple of other physics lines that have enriched mathematics as well: topological quantum field theory and supersymmetry in differential geometry.