You heard of string theory? According to this theory everything consists of strings that oscillate in different patterns. Basically, a string that doesn't oscillate (which a straight piece of string couldn't do) is boring and doesn't lead to anything. Only the bendy ones are interesting and they make our whole universe.
Note (because physicists will complain if I don't): This is _extremely_ oversimplified and shouldn't be taken as a serious explanation of string theory - that would take a lot more text than this little comment. š
