THE 18 ARBITRARY PARAMETERS OF THE STANDARD MODEL IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

Contrary to popular conception, the purpose df particle physics is to understand the everyday world. The current theory of fundamental inter actions among the quarks and leptons depends on eighteen parameters, w hich are a priori arbitrary. Were these parameters different, our worl d would be changed dramatically. By exploring the connection between t hese parameters and everyday phenomena we can better appreciate the ch allenges confronting contemporary particle physics. Until we can expla in the origin of these parameters, we cannot say we truly understand w hy our everyday world is as it is.