Lattice Field Theory: past, present and future

Abstract

This letter is in response to a recent review by DeTar and Gottlieb about lattice QCD that has recently appeared in Physics Today. It also is partially motivated by a separate review written by DeGrand. My basic point is that one should be more responsible when presenting numerical results as coming from {\sl ab initio} calculations. In turn, this leads me to the suggestion that in lattice field theory one should go back to computational support going directly to small groups, including groups containing only a single researcher, rather than concentrating most of the funds into the hands of few large collaborations.