On Space Funding - Page 5

Some problems are stable. These are for politicians.
Some problems worsen steadily. These are for engineers.
Some problems immediately threaten life, liberty or happiness. These are for physicians and soldiers.
Some problems are a recurrent itch. These are for entrepreneurs.
Some problems loom at the horizon of human foresight. These are for scientists.

The role of basic science and pure theory is to find solutions to the problems we don't even know are coming.
Basic science and pure theory are humanity's insurance policy against the unknown unknown.