Hi, this may be more of a question... probably for cavediver... than a solid debate position.
In the realm of fundamental particles, and forces, physics has made a lot of gains within the last century. I'm wondering if physics is reaching an end point, especially with regard to particle physics.
While I realize more might always be found, smaller and smaller, as our instruments get more precise. However, I am wondering if the finding of smaller particles and what influences their behavior, is of any real use, especially given the great amount of energy needed to parse them out?
From what I can tell... and this may be wayyyyy off... all these fundamental particles (quarks, leptons, etc) don't last long in the "real world". That is to say, no matter how much we pick them apart, they fall back together (or reduce to energy) such that they have no value beyond understanding the esoteric properties of the universe.
Is it true that for all practical purposes we'll have to deal with particles and events from the electron size up? Disregarding that photons have no size of course. Is their some use that could be found among the sub-subatomics? What would they be? How about smaller than them?
I'm not sure where this should go... maybe is it science?
h
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