So Why Is String Theory Still Hyped?

Bottom line of piece is: “ Bad scientific theories abound, rife with unnecessary complications, extra sets of parameters, and unconstrained, ill-motivated speculations. Unless there’s a reality check coming, in the form of experimental or observational data, it isn’t worth wasting your time on.”

String theory requires: a large zoo of extra particles that have remained unobserved for over 4 decades, no definitive predictions after over 4 decades, 6 or 7 extra dimensions that have never been observed or even hinted at empirically. As a theory of the physical world, it is poorly constrained, questionably motivated, and exceedingly speculative.

As pure mathematics, string theory may be of interest. However, as physics it has grievously failed the stated “reality test”.

In terms of physics, string theory is bad science. Why is this not openly and honestly admitted by many physicists, especially among those who are regarded are top influencers?