Through the continued accumulation of detailed and reliable knowledge about elementary reactions, we will be in a better position to understand, predict and control many time-dependent macroscopic chemical processes which are important in nature or to human society.
One of the more noble things the Oscars can do is pay attention to movies no one knows about. Blockbusters don't need much help.
It is, perhaps, better to be valued as an object of passion than never to be valued at all.