[hippich]

Is it hard as in:

1) we know what to do, but it is expensive

2) we don't know what to do exactly, but many more people involved can increase search speed, so just need more people

3) it is purely sequential problem, and therefore it takes a lot of time

[samus]

A combination to some degree. Scientists yearn to stumble upon something hitherto unexplainable that requires a new theory or validates or definitely rules out some of the more fringe theories.

While other natural sciences often suffer from an abundance of things that "merely" need to be documented, or where simulation capability is the limit, particle physics is mostly based on a theoretical framework from the middle of the 20th century that has mostly beth explored.

Getting ahead in particle physics comprises measuring many arcane numbers to as high precision as possible until something doesn't line up with existing theories or other measurements anymore. More people could help with brainstorming and measuring things that don't require humongous particle accelerators.

[aleph_minus_one]

> Scientists yearn to stumble upon something [that] definitely rules out some of the more fringe theories

The existing measurements at CERN ruled out a lot of the "more natural" variants of string theory. Until now this insight has not lead to a big scientific breakthrough.