I'm not a physicist, but I don't think string theory is a total waste. It agrees with our existing theories and predictions, so it can be viewed as just an alternative mathematical abstraction, and there is value in that.
Whether or not tiny vibrating strings are really at the heart of things is neither here nor there. It's about as relevant to science as god.
The problem with string theory is that there are limitless physics universes you can create within its framework so saying that ours fits in it is not saying a lot. Many universes could be described by it.
Whether or not tiny vibrating strings are really at the heart of things is neither here nor there. It's about as relevant to science as god.