Whats the point of modern science?

[pocaracas]

To give a little perspective, consider that for many centuries this:



was regarded as little more than a scientific curiosity. Nobody could come up with a practical application for what is essentially a toy.

Until the principles by which it works powered a little something called the Industrial Revolution and jumpstarted the modern world.

I once heard a tale about this machine...
It was used to open and close a door.
The broader use of it was foreseen... but, this being ancient Greece, they thought "what will we do with all these slaves, then?", and just chugged this invention into collective forgetfulness.