Some would say that we should divide universities up into more separate institutions for Arts, Philosophy, Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, Applied Science, Math, Social Sciences, Business, Law, Medicine (or is that a Science?) and others, but the point of universities is be places of knowledge, and to help foster cross pollination between the disciplines.  The point of independent research is to be unfettered by government, business, and indeed wider society as a whole.<p>Government and business and society should not be fettering independent research, just the same as they should not be interfering with law courts.  The point of independent research is for the independent researchers to have the freedom to follow their research even though it might not be popular with the local Wood Pulp mill pumping dioxins into the local river, and that is pollution is going to cause cancer.  This research may not be popular with many in the community because it will impact their jobs.  This research may not be popular with the government, and elected officials because it will affect their tax receipts and donations.  This research my not be popular with you because it is going to put your family out jobs, but it is important research, we can ultimately make <i>informed</i> decisions.<p>That is the point of research, information, and knowledge--so we can make informed and reasoned decisions.<p>I just can not believe the attitude and entitlement of some who think that just because they <i>pay</i> tax they think everything that is not obviously useful to themselves is useless.