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Description
The Usefulness of Useless KnowledgeCondition: BRAND NEW ISBN: 9780691174761 Format: Trade binding Year: 2017 Publisher: Princeton University Press Description: A short, provocative book about why "useless" science often leads to humanity's greatest technological breakthroughs A forty year tightening of funding for scientific research has meant that resources are increasingly directed toward applied or practical outcomes, with the intent of creating products of immediate value. In such
Condition: BRAND NEWISBN: 9780691174761
Format: Trade binding
Year: 2017
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Description:
A short, provocative book about why "useless" science often leads to humanity's greatest technological breakthroughs A forty-year tightening of funding for scientific research has meant that resources are increasingly directed toward applied or practical outcomes, with the intent of creating products of immediate value. In such a scenario, it makes sense to focus on the most identifiable and urgent problems, right? Actually, it doesn't. In his classic essay "The Usefulness of Useless Knowledge," Abraham Flexner, the founding director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and the man who helped bring Albert Einstein to the United States, describes a great paradox of scientific research. The search for answers to deep questions, motivated solely by curiosity and without concern for applications, often leads not only to the greatest scientific discoveries but also to the most revolutionary technological breakthroughs. In short, no quantum mechanics, no computer chips.
This brief book includes Flexner's timeless 1939 essay alongside a new companion essay by Robbert Dijkgraaf, the Institute's current director, in which he shows that Flexner's defense of the value of "the unobstructed pursuit of useless knowledge" may be even more relevant today than it was in the early twentieth century. Dijkgraaf describes how basic research has led to major transformations in the past century and explains why it is an essential precondition of innovation and the first step in social and cultural change. He makes the case that society can achieve deeper understanding and practical progress today and tomorrow only by truly valuing and substanti
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4.7 ★★★★★
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★★★★★ 5
Very healing
I bought this for face but had also heard that this can be used for other skin issues. Yesterday, I cut my index finger with a label remover (basically a razor blade). Once I stopped the bleeding, I kept it clean and covered for a bit. Before bed, I decided to put a dab of this on my cut, when I woke up this morning, it's like a miracle! It barely hurts and looks quite healed!
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
★★★★★ 5
It works... very well... for me. VERY WELL.
I typically detest American companies as many of the products contain both harmful and helpful ingredients at the same time. So far, Prequel has EXCEEDED my expectations.
PROS: It works for my skin. EWG gives good scores to Prequel also. Skin looks great afterwards. No scent. Lasts for hours with a healthy skin tone. You don't have to use a lot to cover an area (see below).
CONS: Slightly greasy when applied so it not a lightweight cream. Small tube (see below). Pricey.
You don't have to use a lot. I find that due to its slightly greasy nature, you can use much less to cover a greater area. Afterwards the greasiness disappears, leaving plump, healthy feeling skin texture.
As with any skincare product, your skin may react differently. I have tried major Western brands which worsened my skin (Cereva for instance) before switching to Korean & Japanese products (far superior). Prequel is now the only Western brand I will use on a regular basis, to include their bar of soap (superior to my regular Korean brand).
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Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Great dry spot treatment!
Worked wonders on winter dry patches on my cheeks and sides of mouth. I’m a somewhat new Prequel product user. I follow the creator on YouTube and love her skincare videos. I have tried a few products so far and have been happy with the results. I just ordered the foot repair ointment for my husband as well. I think this brand is a great value for the money. I have not had any bad reactions so far and I have VERY sensitive skin. This ointment is lightweight and melts into my skin well and the next morning my dry spots were literally invisible. It’s fragrance free, I did not notice any scent at all, which is importance to me.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2026
★★★★★ 4
Prequel is always great
Very soothing and calming for skin. Tube lasted a long time. I have sensitive skin and often have reactions but did great with this.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2026
★★★★★ 5
This is a barrier cream?
I also have very oily skin, so normally I stay away from anything that says barrier or balm. I push skin a lot lol...with max strength tretinoin, glycolic acids, salicylic acids, vitamin C... so there are times when I just need max help from a richer product bc sometimes I take it too far. LRP Cicaplast has been a staple and has saved me many a times.
I bought this bc of the high percentage of ectoin, 5%, and it was so reasonably priced. When I squeezed the tube, I was really worried, it was thicker looking than the Cicaplast. However, when I spread it out, it was SO light and a tiny amount --barely a pea size, was enough to coat my face. It did not feel heavy. Even with my oily skin, I think I could wear this everyday.
As an experiment, I applied any excess on one side of my hand, as I'm right handed, I would apply it on my left hand. I've had this about a week, and right now after doing the dishes, and washing my hands multiple times without any hand cream on it, my right hand is definitely drier than my left hand. My left hand also looks less red and more calm.
This formula is 5 stars for both the effectiveness and the elegant formula. It may yet replace my LRP Cicaplast...we'll see!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2025
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