What possible purpose could learning more about a hunk of random crystal and some electrodes have? Oh, that seems to have some interesting properties after all.

What possible purpose could learning more about a hunk of random crystal and some electrodes have? Oh, that seems to have some interesting properties after all. Some crazy dudes want to build a flying machine. Totally impossible, it will never happen. Just stick to horse-drawn carriages, also let’s try to squeeze a bit more efficiency from that coal-powered steam boiler over there... And on and on and so forth. Breakthroughs and just general advances in science look like crackpot ideas or wastes of time until they aren’t. Fundamental research is almost always a good thing, no matter how out there or wildly impractical it may seem.