They hold up the physical reality around us. Without them, you would be nothing... or would you?
Well, actually--you are. Atoms are made of 99.9% space, and you are made of atoms. You, essentially, are only made up of .01% raw, physical matter. So, when some frequenting bully tries to hit you with that classic insult--"You're nothing."-- you can respond with, "I know". Then you can school them into what could be a complete denial of their own existence. Bully handled (with science).
I am infatuated with anything considered "science". And I cherish the intellect I have, only because it took me until my early 20's to realize I had something worth entertaining (I can hear some people coughing, *bullshit, bullshit*). So, about 4 years ago, I took a Chemistry class my Freshman year at SVSU. We were given the opportunity to recite a bluegrass version of the periodic table of elements for extra credit (Link). So, I said, "Hey teach... I'll do ya one better!" I found indiscriminately searched for a fast rap beat, pulled out the microphone, and dropped some ununennium bars (so quick, you can't even study them).
Some people ask me, "Hey Cody, what does a normal person like me need to remember the periodic table of elements for?", and to that, I say--because.