What is the underlying connection between geometry and matter in string theory?

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The discussion centers on the validation of string theory in relation to quantum mechanics (QM) and general relativity (GR). Participants express skepticism about string theory's ability to make accurate predictions, noting that it often fails to align with established physical constants and phenomena. A consensus emerges that for string theory to be considered valid, it must not only replicate existing predictions but also provide new, testable predictions that can be experimentally verified. Concerns are raised about the theory's complexity and the lack of a clear framework for testing its additional dimensions and particles. Overall, the conversation highlights a growing doubt among physicists regarding the future viability of string theory as a comprehensive scientific framework.
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marcus said:
2. to understand how the combined geometry-and-matter entity arises
(why geometry responds to matter and why matter follows geometry, they must be fundamentally the same underlying thing because of this close interaction, what is this thing?)

...

You have posed what I would agree is a fundamental question. One could say that Einstein’s great leap of imagination was to recognise because of the equivalence of inertial mass with gravitational mass that mass was warping space. However, to my interpretation the surprise is that this works. Einstein assumed that matter warping space created gravity & derived his general theory of relativity from this assumption so the surprise is that it works so well without a clear understanding why. As you said, Marcus, it’s this relationship between the geometry of space-time & matter that needs an explanation.
 

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