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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker defines basic research as working on unknown problems without knowing the outcome.
In plain terms
Basic research is exploring the unknown.
What can you take from it?
Innovation often starts without clear goals.

Where it applies

  • scientific inquiry
  • R&D projects

Putting it to work

  • fund exploratory studies
  • embrace failure

Questions to consider

  • How can we measure progress in unknown research?
  • What incentives support exploratory work?

Another view

The definition is broad and may not distinguish basic from applied work.

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