Paige Finn DohertyFounding Partner, Behind Genius · Founding Partner at Behind Genius Ventures

purely theoretical things have their own beauty

18 Oct 2023 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:52

In this brief YouTube excerpt, two speakers discuss the tension between pure theoretical science and its practical applications. Speaker B emphasizes that while theoretical work possesses its own aesthetic beauty and the experimental process—characterized by cycles of trial, failure, and eventual success—is exciting, the ultimate goal should be to carry the value chain through to societal benefit. They warn that if scientific breakthroughs only serve scientists' egos without broader public advantage, the field loses its purpose. Speaker A hints at personal invention, underscoring the personal drive behind applied work. The dialogue highlights the need to balance appreciation for abstract theory with responsibility to translate discoveries into real-world impact.

It sounds like the thing that resonates with you really strongly is actually the application of science versus the pure theoretical.
Yes, I think that we should follow the value chain to the end, right? The purely theoretical things have their own beauty. Experiments have their own drive. When, you know, you try, you fail, you try, you fail, and finally it works. All of the steps in process Have something to be excited about. At the same time, I'm trying to look at the whole picture. And if everybody, like, if people don't benefit from this scientific breakthrough, then honestly, the only people who are winning are scientists and their egos.
Like, you know, I've invented something.
Okay, cool. Sure. Good for you. Yeah. How do we make it accessible for everybody else?