Okay. Please let me rephrase: "theoretical particle physics".
Building a better theory explaining how our universe works won't give any application short-term-wise. However, we train people, we provide them skills to solve hard problems, and innovation comes from the conception of our experiments (to limit myself to few examples). Therefore, there is an added value to the society. I would just not classify it in terms of TRL.
And yes, I will keep writing. In fact I was telling my friend the other day that I enjoy writing more than what I opted to pursue. So that is gonna stay. I also have to an itch to write about my thesis work. I guess one more week, till I submit, after that I will make a layman summary of it.
I am looking forward to read this! You can count on my comments and questions :)