[reillys]

Knowledge in itself is good. We don’t need everything to have a direct commercial application. In fact most discoveries by their nature do not have directly applicable commercial applications.

[thecoppinger]

Here's an excellent lecture that drives this point home:

"Physics in the Interest of Society Lecture 2019: John Parmentola"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx-55BhuFks

[nick__m]

I agree and I am sure physicguy also agree but, alas, those who manage the grants system frequently don't.

[lukan]

Because those who pay for the taxes frequently don't. So some justification needs to happen to spend other peoples money. A better way would be nice, though.

[mnky9800n]

You are correct. Please try to convince grant agencies that blue sky research doesn’t need direct application.