"Particle physics has revolutionized the way we look at the universe. Along the way, it’s made significant impacts on other fields of science, improved daily life for people around the world and trained a new generation of scientists and computing professionals." ---- http://www.symmetrymagazine.org

For the full story, see: http://www.symmetrymagazine.org/article/october-2013/why-particle-physics-matters

To watch comments of 29 particle physicists on this question, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J26v-ikmNeg&list=PLVuf4hejm7rWnVsRcULB6wlrW3k6klOes&index=1