In defense of science—What would John do?

Mohamed Gad-el-Hak, Virginia Commonwealth University

Published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1063/1.4974531.

Abstract

Recent onslaughts on the importance of pure research to our collective well-being are trending. In this essay, I discuss the issues involved and offer a rebuttal. The thoughts are inspired by my mentor, academic sibling, and idol John Leask Lumley.