Is the pure science that powerful? in my point of view, only when the pure science is put to practical uses, its usefullness is multiplied exponentially.
you are right, if too many people got involved in financial or banking subjects instead of science subjects, the world would be in a disaster. The present finacal crisis we have been enconuntering can be sort of a explanation of your point.
The nature of Capitalism decides how capitalists pick the technologies to build. Just let "government" supply the engineers and math wizards. All in all,where government funding goes is very crucial.
Take care, I 'll see in a month:)
