"Physics is like sex. Sure it might give some practical results, but that is NOT why we do it."  Mr. Feynman, I believe, is not your typical stodgy physics space guy---LOL
Personally, I think sex is a lot like looking for what makes  our world go round, i.e. when in the throes of such, and you look into the eyes of the lady with whom you are on that journey, kinda, sorta like those two black holes that circle  one another, before crashing into one another, you see the wonders of the universe there before you, and before long, there cums those "waves." ;P~~~