Business Quote by Michael Crichton
““In the past, pure scientists took a snobbish view of business. They saw the pursuit of money as intellectually uninteresting, suited only to shopkeepers. And to do research for industry, even at the prestigious Bell or IBM labs, was only for those who couldn't get a university appointment. Thus the attitude of pure scientists was fundamentally critical toward the work of applied scientists, and to industry in general. Their long-standing antagonism kept university scientists free of contaminating industry ties, and whenever debate arose about technological matters, disinterested scientists were available to discuss the issues at the highest levels.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The New York Times Book Review, 1998 interview
Scientists historically viewed industry as lowbrow, fearing it would corrupt pure research and preserve academic independence.
In simple terms: Pure scientists saw business as uninteresting and feared contamination.
Key Takeaway
Recognize value of collaboration between academia and industry.
Themes
science
industry
ethics
collaboration
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- university research
- corporate R&D
- policy debates
- technology development
Key Concepts
purism
institutional bias
knowledge transfer
Questions to Reflect On
- How can academia benefit from industry without losing integrity?
- What safeguards protect scientific objectivity?
A Different Perspective
Collaboration can blur lines between objective research and profit motives.
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