I don't see a good cost to benefit ratio in the collider at this point. I mean they could have spent the same amount of money on energy research or medical research. Purely academic research is important, but I don't think its that important. The God particle has waited billions of years, it can wait for 10 or 20 more. At least until the world has a handle on its current problems.
Hopefully I'll have the money to invest my way into some molecular nanotechnology companies by the time the first prototype assemblers come online. I think the government will go into overdrive regulating nanotech when the public realizes the possibilities. If you aren't quick enough to get it when it's new and relatively unrestricted then i think most people will be SOL.
Btw what is phutt? Urban dictionary only had one definition and it was retarded.