re: LIGO annoucement - HUGE

This is pure science, not applied, so your question is legitimate, but your implied conclusion is extremely naive. Today's technology, including CAT scans, MRIs, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy, are all based on physics discovered over a century ago. We didn't know what the applications would be when those discoveries were made, and we can't predict all of the applications for this new knowledge at this time, but there will be applications that will change our lives. With the accelerating rate of technological development, we may see applications sooner rather than later. I for one, however, am thrilled by the knowledge alone, without the need to justify it, but the applications will come and they could be astounding.