[pm90]

I think what you're trying to say, in that most basic research has no inherent economic value to civilization. I agree with that premise; but there is more to it. The benefits of research is not just its output, but its effects: fostering communities of people dedicated to investigating curiosities which we non-academics cannot (or do not) want to dedicate significant time and/or effort to doing.

[foldr]

No, I meant what I said. Most basic research is useless in essentially all respects (not just in terms of the economic effects of its output). That does not necessarily mean that it's bad research, intellectually speaking, just that society is no better off for it.