Love this prominent subtitle for "MoraLab" at Uni of Hawaii:
"making the world a better place one paper at a time"
Have a look at the namesakes CV, and see where the money wasn't, and where the money now is, and, see clearly the principal driver of "re$earch" in the world today:
http://tinyurl.com/y8l2mxtd
We pay for all of these "papers" in taxes and deficit spending inflicted on future generations. Look at a few of these when inspired, and you'll see what you're buying with your grandchildren's money.
There is no easier prediction for a 42 yr. old scientist to make than what will happen "by the end of the century" well after s/he has died.
Can it be imagined what brilliant discoveries and inventions would occur for humanity if the useless wasn't pursued with such passion by so many.