> the phenomenon that experimental physics seems to be lagging theoretical physics is a quite recent one Yes, and in this example theoretical physics is provid

> the phenomenon that experimental physics seems to be lagging theoretical physics is a quite recent one Yes, and in this example theoretical physics is providing the new tools for experimental physics to attempt to find ways to work with. And sometimes pure mathematics people are off making new tools that the theoretical physicists can later use to expand their playground. “It's maths all the way down” is the modern “it's turtles all the way down”!