somebody wrote:
> High energy physics operates in a
> domain that has no connection whatsoever with anything applicable to
> everyday life. It's the same kind of meaningless pursuit as analyzing the
> makeup of a galaxy 5 billion light years away. There can be no application
> whatsover, even in one's wildest dreams. It's about satisfying empty
> curiosity (and pushing papers).

Most of number theory is about "empty curiosity" about the properties 
and relationships of numbers. It is precisely because of this that we 
now have asymmetric ciphers that make secure ecommerce plausible.

Electricity was discovered as a result of "empty curiosity" about 
various seemingly unimportant phenomina.

You cannot know how useful something will or won't be until you find it.

In summary, I refute your contention that learning about how the 
Universe works is a pointless waste of money. On the other hand, I 
accept that while this is "worthwhile", there are other endevours that 
would have been more so...

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