Big Ideas What are universities for today? The usefulness of "useless" knowledge
Nov 26, 2025
Oron Catts is a pioneering artist and director renowned for his work in biological arts, while Jessyca Hutchins, a Balga woman and art historian, co-directs the Berndt Museum. They explore the evolving purpose of universities, questioning whether knowledge must always be 'useful'. Jessyca emphasizes the value of Indigenous knowledge, which views all information as significant. Oron warns that corporatization may lead to intellectual decline, urging a return to curiosity-driven research. The discussion highlights the need for universities to foster community and slow contemplation.
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Useless Knowledge Fuels Future Utility
- Abraham Flexner argued curiosity-driven ‘useless’ knowledge often yields unexpected long-term utility.
- Oron Catts and Natasha note that scholarship for its own sake builds foundations others later apply.
No Such Thing As Useless Indigenous Knowledge
- Indigenous knowledge systems treat knowledge as relational and never 'useless.'
- Jessica Hutchins emphasises custodianship, care and knowledge's place-based value.
Commercial Pressures Reshape Priorities
- Corporatisation pushed universities toward commercial, applied projects and revenue-driven choices.
- Terri-Ann White links that shift to prioritising commercialisable research and international-student revenue.
