doma,
many scientists (including, to my knowledge, nobels) talk about problems with the way scientific work is structured and funded. i'm sure many good theories find it hard to gain purchase. the practice of developing science isn't perfect and testing it has become very expensive.
science itself is something separate from all of this. and it keeps on changing - but perhaps at less than the speed it might if financing was easier. only in the last few weeks, we have probably seen higgs' particle confirmed. it required a gigantic lab to find it.
i deduce from your observation about particles that you have read a little about quantum mechanics and probably understand as much as and more than many laymen. i also understand enough to know to leave the discussion of sub atomic particles and Heisenberg's principle to physicists.
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