[michellemfry]

Some things are not for us to have and to hold. It is more important as to whether or not the matter believes that the quarks exist. Does it respond to them as if they are there? Does the proton, something which resists decay for up to 10^33 years, behave chemically and physically as if there is something there?
The reason that you go along and stub your toe on something is that the event is one of all the interactions of matter's particles coming together to forbid your foot from passing right through. Your matter has met other matter and the result is a blow to your flesh. Quite fascinating to think about. Your matter has detected other matter, simply, and without calculation.