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Number theory and relativity are great examples not just of how theories find surprising applications, but how ethically decoupled the applications are from the theory.

Number theory gave us encryption, but also blockchain.

Relativity gave us accurate GPS, but also nuclear weapons.

You just can’t know. Simultaneously hopeful and grim news for the theoretician who wonders whether their abstruse work might have tangible, practical value! Hardy’s “focus on the beauty” stance may be the wise one.