Moving away from (false) dichotomies... --- Coming from a background in hardcore natural (life) sciences and crossing over or at least familiar enough to appreciate social sciences, I'd like to submit both are important to address the global challenges. Taking into account the example of COVID-19 vaccine, its development falls under natural sciences, but the reasons behind its uptake or lack of enters the realm of social sciences. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01459-7

Advent of internet and the era it ushered in is an example of a paradigm shift that comes to mind, within our lifetime impacting every aspect of our lives, and evermore prominent to keep us connected despite a pandemic.

Basic (theoretical AND experimental) vs. applied research ought to give way to more useful concepts of convergence and emergence of new scientific areas and technologies - the understanding that it is inherently complex and unpredictable.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/319006.At_Home_in_the_Universe https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30753840-convergence?\

Source author: Vid Nukala Vid.Nukala@gmail.com