Why Basic Science Is the Foundation of Innovation

At first glance, a lot of scientific research can look impractical, abstract, or even disconnected from everyday life. People often wonder why scientists spend years studying phenomena that seem to have no obvious use. This question sits at the heart of a recent UC Berkeley video that explains why basic science, also known as curiosity-driven research, is not only valuable but absolutely essential for innovation.

The video, part of UC Berkeley’s 101 in 101 series, features Steve Kahn, the dean of mathematical and physical sciences at the university. In just over a minute, he breaks down a powerful idea: the biggest technological breakthroughs of the modern world are rooted in research that was never designed to be practical in the first place.

Basic science focuses on understanding how the universe works at its most fundamental level. A century ago, when physicists began exploring the strange behavior of atoms and subatomic particles through quantum mechanics, they were not trying to invent better medical equipment or faster internet. They were simply trying to answer basic questions about reality. At the time, much of this work appeared purely theoretical and far removed from real-world applications.

Yet today, that same body of research underpins much of modern technology. According to Kahn, it is precisely this kind of foundational inquiry that drives the most important discoveries. Paradigm-changing ideas, rather than incremental improvements, are what truly fuel innovation. When scientific understanding shifts in a fundamental way, it opens the door to entirely new technologies, industries, and ways of living.

One of the clearest examples highlighted in the video is the laser. The laser did not emerge from an attempt to solve a specific engineering problem. Instead, it grew out of deep theoretical work on the interaction between light and matter, grounded in quantum theory. Early research into stimulated emission was once viewed as obscure and abstract. Over time, however, that knowledge crystallized into a practical device that has become indispensable.

Today, lasers are everywhere. They are central to precision medicine, enabling delicate surgeries and advanced diagnostic tools. They form the backbone of global telecommunications, carrying vast amounts of data through fiber-optic networks. They are used in manufacturing, scientific research, consumer electronics, and even everyday items like barcode scanners. What began as an intellectual exploration eventually branched out into countless applications, much like a tree growing and spreading its limbs.

This pattern is not unique to lasers. Many transformative technologies share a similar origin story. Fundamental research creates a base of knowledge that later innovators can build upon, often in ways the original researchers could never have predicted. This is why Kahn argues that basic science is not a luxury or a side project, but a core driver of progress.

UC Berkeley has long embraced this philosophy. The institution has a deep history of supporting research that asks big, fundamental questions about nature, mathematics, and the universe. The campus has been the birthplace of numerous paradigm-shifting experiments and ideas that went on to define entire fields of study. Importantly, these discoveries were not just imagined at Berkeley; they were carried out, tested, and analyzed there, creating ripple effects far beyond academia.

However, the video also addresses a serious challenge facing basic science today. Kahn points to federal funding cuts as a growing threat to curiosity-driven research. In an environment that increasingly prioritizes immediate commercial returns, scientists who pursue knowledge for its own sake often struggle to secure support. Projects without obvious short-term applications can be seen as risky or expendable, even though history shows they are often the most impactful in the long run.

This shift creates a difficult climate for researchers. When funding structures favor quick results and marketable outcomes, the slow, exploratory nature of basic science can be sidelined. Kahn emphasizes that this is a mistake. Some of the most groundbreaking discoveries were once dismissed as useless or irrelevant. Only with time did their true value become clear.

Beyond economics and policy, the video makes a broader human argument. The pursuit of fundamental knowledge is portrayed as a core part of the human experience. Curiosity about how the universe works is not just a means to an end; it is a defining trait of humanity. Asking big questions, exploring the unknown, and pushing the boundaries of understanding are activities that shape culture, inspire future generations, and expand what society believes is possible.

Despite the current challenges, Kahn expresses confidence that institutions like UC Berkeley will continue to play a central role in basic science. Even amid funding pressures and shifting priorities, the commitment to foundational research remains strong. The message is clear: innovation does not start with products or profits. It starts with questions.

What Exactly Is Basic Science?

Basic science refers to research aimed at gaining fundamental knowledge about natural phenomena without a specific application in mind. Unlike applied science, which seeks to solve particular problems, basic science is driven by curiosity. It asks questions like how particles behave, how cells function, or how the universe began.

Historically, basic science has led to many of the technologies we now take for granted. Electricity, semiconductors, medical imaging, and the internet all trace their roots back to research that initially seemed impractical. These breakthroughs did not happen overnight. They emerged over decades as layers of understanding accumulated.

Why Basic Science Takes Time but Pays Off

One reason basic science can be undervalued is that its benefits are often delayed and unpredictable. There is rarely a straight line from discovery to application. Instead, knowledge spreads across disciplines, inspires new questions, and eventually converges into usable technology.

This long timeline can clash with political cycles, funding models, and market expectations. Yet when basic science is neglected, innovation eventually slows. Without new foundational insights, applied research has nothing new to build on. In this sense, basic science acts as the soil from which all technological growth emerges.

The Laser as a Case Study in Innovation

The laser remains one of the most compelling examples of how basic science leads to transformative technology. Early quantum theorists were exploring abstract principles with no roadmap to practical use. Decades later, those principles became the basis for a device that reshaped medicine, communication, and industry.

This example reinforces the video’s central message: today’s curiosity is tomorrow’s infrastructure.