The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge

Most of our knowledge-generation is purpose-driven. That is true for scientific research and everyday knowledge-work alike.
But Abraham Flexner, founder of the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton, made a compelling case for the importance of useless knowledge. Knowledge that serves no purpose, and cannot be immediately applied to anything.
Especially, he makes the case for knowledge generation that is driven by curiosity and passion, and not the rigor of scientific processes.
He laid out his thoughts in his 1939 essay, of which you can read a short summary here.
I think his thoughts are more important than ever - in our times, efficiency is so important, we often lose sight of the importance of following our hearts.

Adolescent Dolphins get high on Pufferfish

Puffer fish secret a neurotoxin when under stress. The poison makes them one of the most lethal animals under water - and a sought out high for adolescent dolphins.

The BBC has filmed a group of dolphins passing around a living puffer fish, gently nudging it to make it secrete its poison so they could get high on it.

So, teenage dolphins get high on puffer fish. Now you know something you didn't know before, and unless you're a dolphin looking for some kind of inspiration on how to spend your saturdays, that knowledge is completely useless. Lucky you!