[evan_au (OP)]

You judge a theory by it's ability to accurately predict new things that have not previously been observed.

By this measure, String theory is not even a theory, because it has made no testable predictions.
- In fact, it could not even describe the universe around us, with electrons and protons
- Perhaps it could be described as an untestable theory that generates untestable theories?

That may be about to change - some string theorists claim that they have found a subset of string theory that looks something like our universe, with something that looks like quarks and fermions.

How soon? It appears there is some way to go, to narrow it down further - let's see if they can construct a proton, and then a hydrogen atom... Then see if they can predict something new!
See: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/found-a-quadrillion-ways-for-string-theory-to-make-our-universe/

[RobC]

I never understood why string theory took off and did Stephen Hawking agree with me?

[pensador]

The main use string theory appears to have, is that it is giving insights into how the emergent universe might work, the holographic principle has its roots in string theory along with the plethora of emergent theories, such as emergent space and time and gravity, which appear to be based around entanglement and extra dimensions. ie space + time + at least one extra dimension.

It hasn't actually proven anything new yet, but it can be made to agree with existing theories, it is also the source of the multiverse ideas, which I understand Penroses CCC Aeons attempts to dispel 

If you google the strings conference, you can download hundreds of lectures to confuse the crap out of your self, based around all the different versions of string theory. Mathematically representing everything as a vibration in N dimensions might lead to revolutionary new ideas, like shoot the geeks

[jeffreyH]

We think of particles in terms of waves. This relates to oscillations which is just another way of saying vibrations. This all evolved from the data collected from scattering experiments. From memory it was either the gamma or beta function of Euler. The danger with pattern matching data to a particular function is it may just be a coincidence that they appear to match in the first place. Then it all has to become more and more complex to keep the theory alive. Equations that describe physical laws well usually have an elegance and simplicity. Some say beauty. String theory seems to be the ugly sister. The main problem is finding the equation without it first being derived from observation.

[Ophiolite]

We should not underestimate the considerable value of string theory. It has provided a steady income for a significant number of mathematicians, ensuring they do not seek employment as shelf stackers in supermarkets, a task for which they are likely ill equipped.

[yor_on]

I thought string theory was one of the few that could take a peek inside a black hole? Of course it's theory, but anyone want to explain why 'c' is a constant no matter relative motion? That's what Relativity builds on.

[yor_on]

Here: https://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/string-theory-branes-explain-black-holes/