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Originally Posted by Undertoad
And this is useful how, exactly? Partly for genetic research, I guess,
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Another example of a difference between application research verses fundamental research.
AT&T once did fundamental research in its Bell Labs. Now that their management demands 'useful' things, Bell Labs no longer create things like lasers, transistors, and Telstar. The Bell Labs now does application research. Their management also would see nothing gained by fluorescent pigs - or Unix.
As was discussed some years ago, a major difference exists between application research verses fundamental research. In 1973, when someone spliced some genes together, then nobody cared; few even noticed. Today, application of that research is creating religious wars about life. How many will die in future wars fought over fluorescent pigs?
How useful is a fluorescent pig? Maybe it will create a man who glows -and is then worshipped as a second coming of Christ. Then Jews will be killed off and we all will have a new religion. Fundamental research is useful only as fundamental research - which is essential for the survival of mankind. In fundamental research, we don't ask why. Instead only ask how and therefore create the world's greatest achievements - and sometimes a holocaust.