| Technological advances don't occur in a vacuum. Any advance is
just that. The invention of the wheel made a difference because people
realized uses for wheels. There were enough civilized activities
already in place and wheels were a logical step. Laser was invented
with no immediate uses in mind, although we have found myriad uses for
them in short order. But laser probably would not have been invented
without the combined knowledge of light itself, the ability to generate
it and the optics with which to control it.
Forward movement is desirable and valuable. A question to be resolved
is: how valuable? Cerainly, clever solutions, discoveries and inventions
merit rewards. If we are all "in it for the long haul" and are willing
to shoulder more of the responsibility, i.e. cost, of developing these,
does that somehow equate to moderate-to-handsome, as opposed to absurdly extraordinary, rewards
to those who contribute excellent ideas? |
