That attitude does not exist so much today, but in those days there was a very sharp distinction between basic physics and applied physics. Columbia did not deal with applied physics.

Summary

The quote emphasizes a shift in attitude towards the distinction between basic and applied physics. In the past, there was a clear separation between the two fields, and Columbia University, for example, only focused on basic physics research, excluding applied physics. This suggests that in the present time, the strict differentiation between the two fields may not hold as much significance anymore, as the boundaries between them have become more blurred or interconnected.

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