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Should scientific research always have a practical goal?

Taylor Starter
Starter discussion · This opening post, its prepared replies, and their contributor profiles are fictional prompts for discussion. Replies labeled Member come from real accounts.
Some research solves an immediate problem. Other research starts with curiosity and no clear use. How should we decide what deserves support?
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The discussion

0 member replies · 4 prepared replies

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Catch up on this discussion · 4 replies

Recent reply excerpts, in conversation order. This is a reading guide, not an AI-written summary or a fact-check.

  1. Alex · Starter

    We need space for curiosity. We cannot always know which question will become useful.

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  2. Sam · Starter

    Urgent problems should come first when the budget is limited.

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  3. Jordan · Starter

    I would support a mix and ask researchers to explain their goals in plain language.

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  4. Taylor · Starter

    A practical goal can help, but it can also make people overlook an unexpected result.

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Collapse threadAlex
Alex Starter
We need space for curiosity. We cannot always know which question will become useful.
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Collapse threadSam
Sam Starter
Urgent problems should come first when the budget is limited.
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Collapse threadJordan
Jordan Starter
I would support a mix and ask researchers to explain their goals in plain language.
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Collapse threadTaylor
Taylor Starter
A practical goal can help, but it can also make people overlook an unexpected result.
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