As a physics grad student, the phenomenon I've seen is people simply avoiding focusing on string theory in favor of greener (but still in physics) pastures. I s

As a physics grad student, the phenomenon I've seen is people simply avoiding focusing on string theory in favor of greener (but still in physics) pastures. I suspect most of the working string theorists who had a stable job to begin with are tenured and will keep doing what they are. Personally I'm not sure how to feel about all of it; although the contribution of string theory to physics can most certainly be argued, mathematics has definitely benefited from its development.