This dilemma is a major challenge to the future of America's scientific enterprise. We as scientists must recognize that we may be losing touch with the American taxpayer. I think we have to drive the debate to a landscape in which scientists and non-scientists can have meaningful communication. People care about problems, and scientists know how to solve them. A focus on solving problems, however, makes many people in the basic science area very uncomfortable.
Breakthroughs often occur as a result of fundamental investigations.
Thus, to effectively solve problems, we need a balanced investment in fundamental and applied science. For most of the activities in the Laboratory, such as our work in Life Sciences and Energy Sciences, it is not so difficult to identify connections with a national problem. Less clear to some is where High Energy and Nuclear Physics fit. I don't think we can make the same arguments for clearly defined national needs to justify this work. We have to appeal to a higher sense of national purpose and champion this research as a contribution to the culture of our time.