why do we need science and all this expensive machinery?

Question: why do we need science and all this expensive machinery?
- Keywords:
  importance,
  important,
  machinery,
  significance
Asked by catherineeqi to Arttu, Ceri, James_M, Monica, Philip on 17 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by bassmaa123, tamz05.
- Philip Dolan answered on 17 Jun 2011:
  
  I suppose the egocentric answer would be make more and more advanced devices and technologies to keep us living longer and more comfortable lives.
  
  Philosophically I’d say it’s the same ‘why’ as ‘why’ our ancestors felt the need to climb over the most distant mountains, and to explore newly discovered continents. To satisfy curiosity.

Question: why do we need science and all this expensive machinery?