Abstract

We argue that string theory emerges inevitably from a few simple assumptions about physical scattering. Consistency alone requires that all tree-level four-point scattering amplitudes exhibit vanishing residues at prescribed values of the momentum transfer. Assuming ultrasoft high-energy behavior, we then prove that the space of minimally consistent amplitudes, whose residues exhibit these mandated zeros and nothing more, collapses uniquely onto the celebrated Veneziano and Virasoro-Shapiro amplitudes of string theory. Similar logic also applies to five-point scattering.

Usually when I read something that makes me feel this stupid it's because it's nonsense gobbledygook. Weird to find the real version

Just pick papers at random from physical review letters