Science unshackled : how obscure, abstract, seemingly useless scientific research turned out to be the basis for modern life

Why in the world are we paying for all this "basic" research? The answer to this question becomes clear in this romp through the "seemingly useless" world of pure science, where one thing leads to another in ways that result in major scientific advancements. With a novelistic style, C. Renée James reveals how obscure studies of natural phenomena—including curved space-time, poisonous cone snails, exploding black holes, and the precise chemical makeup of the sun—led unexpectedly to WiFi, GPS, genetic sequencing, pain medications, and cancer treatments. __Science Unshackled__ brings both science and scientists to life and shows how simple curiosity can result in life-changing breakthroughs. Scientists engaged in basic research, funded in large part by governments around the globe and throughout the centuries, never know when exploring small questions will have big impacts. But, by following the scientific method, disciplined inquiry can lead to wondrous and practical discoveries that benefit all of us in the end. The next time someone asks you why "the government" wastes its money on weird research, recall the intriguing stories James has told and tell them the answer.

Why in the world are we paying for all this "basic" research? The answer to this question becomes clear in this romp through the "seemingly useless" world of pure science, where one thing leads to another in ways that result in major scientific advancements.

With a novelistic style, C. Renée James reveals how obscure studies of natural phenomena—including curved space-time, poisonous cone snails, exploding black holes, and the precise chemical makeup of the sun—led unexpectedly to WiFi, GPS, genetic sequencing, pain medications, and cancer treatments. Science Unshackled brings both science and scientists to life and shows how simple curiosity can result in life-changing breakthroughs.

Scientists engaged in basic research, funded in large part by governments around the globe and throughout the centuries, never know when exploring small questions will have big impacts. But, by following the scientific method, disciplined inquiry can lead to wondrous and practical discoveries that benefit all of us in the end. The next time someone asks you why "the government" wastes its money on weird research, recall the intriguing stories James has told and tell them the answer.

"Why in the world are we paying for all this 'basic' research? The answer to this question becomes clear in this romp through the 'seemingly useless' world of pure science, where one thing leads to another in ways that result in major scientific advancements. With a novelistic style, C. Renée James reveals how obscure studies of natural phenomena--including curved space-time, poisonous cone snails, exploding black holes, and the precise chemical makeup of the sun--led unexpectedly to WiFi, GPS, genetic sequencing, pain medications, and cancer treatments. Science Unshackled brings both science and scientists to life and shows how simple curiosity can result in life-changing breakthroughs. Scientists engaged in basic research, funded in large part by governments around the globe and throughout the centuries, never know when exploring small questions will have big impacts. But, by following the scientific method, disciplined inquiry can lead to wondrous and practical discoveries that benefit all of us in the end. The next time someone asks you why "the government" wastes its money on weird research, recall the intriguing stories James has told and tell them the answer."--Publisher description "An "entertaining, informative, and thought-provoking" look at the world of pure science and how obscure research leads to major changes in our world (John M. Henshaw, University of Tulsa, author of A Tour of the Senses ). With a novelistic style, C. Renée James reveals how obscure studies of natural phenomena -- including curved space-time, poisonous cone snails, exploding black holes, and the precise chemical makeup of the sun -- led unexpectedly to WiFi, GPS, genetic sequencing, pain medications, and cancer treatments. Science Unshackled brings both science and scientists to life and shows how simple curiosity can result in life-changing breakthroughs. Scientists engaged in what is known as basic research never know when exploring small questions will have big impacts. But, by following the scientific method, disciplined inquiry can lead to wondrous and practical discoveries that benefit all of us in the end. The next time someone asks you why "the government" wastes its money on weird research, recall the intriguing stories James has told and tell them the answer."-- Provided by Freading Hoy los científicos dedicados a la investigación básica están financiados por los gobiernos de todo el mundo. Nunca se sabe cuando se explora, si las pequeñas preguntas conducirán a hallazgos que tendrán grandes impactos, la investigación puede conducir a descubrimientos asombrosos y prácticos que beneficien a toda la humanidad. Es por ello que sabemos qué responder cuando alguien pregunta: por qué el gobierno desperdicia su dinero en investigación en ciencias básicas. Estel ibro trataa sobre cómo el oscuro y abstracto trabajo de investigación científica, aparentemente inútil resultó ser la base para la vida moderna