You know...I just don't think that's the case. We can't predict what products or societal changes particle physics will result in until we actually do the research (the Schrodinger's Cat of research?).

One thing is for sure: if we don't do the research, we won't know any more, and we won't have gained any further understanding of the universe. I just don't think understanding our universe, and the world we live in, is a luxury.