“Dr. O’Reilly, let me get this clear: you want this committee to give you $10 billion to prove the existence of other universes?”
“That’s correct, Senator Lopez. Several of the best theories suggest their existence.”
“But what use is the knowledge to us? You say we can’t travel to them, or even communicate, so what practical use is this work?”
“It allows us to reconcile a number of our theories and provides an explanation of why our universe appears so well suited to life; if there are an innumerable quantity of universes, all with subtly different properties, those that can bring forth life will- so here we are.”
“Ah; pure knowledge. No concrete benefits.”
“That’s a little harsh, Senator; you see…”

At the end, the Senator made an eloquent summary, certainly preventing the grant without disrespecting the scientist. But as zhe slithered from the damp podium, flicking zhir tentacles, zhe could not prevent the tips of zhir vibrissae flushing magenta with scorn. Alternate universes? What nonsense!