Why is this news heavy, Doc?
It remains one of the most difficult to prove predictions that comprise Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. The discovery of gravitational waves would validate some avenues of further investigation of physics and invalidate others. This would give physicists a mammoth boost in redirecting their efforts towards discovering the mathematical equations that describe a unified theory of physics. Ultimately this would lead to new forms of applied science and technologies that would amount to wild science fiction today. In other words, for the people responsible for developing the fundamental science required for the next century and more of technological developments, the discovery of gravity waves is more useful than the discovery of fire.