Is string theory a failed theory according to David Gross?
No, that is a common misconception. String theory is not a failed theory; it is an incomplete one. It remains the only consistent framework we have for unifying quantum mechanics and general relativity—the only game in town for quantum gravity. The universe is not obliged to be simple, but it is obliged to be consistent, and string theory provides a mathematically consistent way to describe all fundamental forces, including gravity, at the quantum level. However, we have not yet found experimental evidence for it, and we need to be bold but not reckless in our claims. I have been critical of some overhyped promises, but I still believe string theory is essential for progress. The challenge is that its predictions often involve energies far beyond current accelerators. We must be guided by symmetry and continue developing the theory while seeking indirect tests, such as through cosmology or black hole physics.
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