And the constant pursuit of the economic and military advantage and superiority which scientific invention and technology confer is an essential component of a world-view that changes the realities on the ground.
Western science led to the invention of gunpowder and other superior military weapons that outclassed bows, arrows and spears.
Let's not forget that Miley's insta-historic VMAs performance last year drew outraged comment from many quarters, but perhaps most notably from the creator of the foam finger himself, who claimed she had demeaned his oversized invention.
The announcement of the Nobel prize in chemistry follows on Wednesday, with a China-US duo – Ching Tang and Steven van Slyke – cited as potential winners for the invention of the organic light-emitting diode, used in a range of gadgets including mobile phones.
What if, on Wednesday, the Mail discovers that Ed Miliband becoming prime minister would actually be the worst thing since the invention of malaria?
'Is that your invention too?' It is said to the White Knight in Through the Looking Glass.
The standout singles were actually Dreadlock Holiday and The Things We Do for Love, which hint at this band's real strengths: wit, musicianship, invention and more often than not a melodic hook that got under the skin.
But lyrics too remained an influence and inspiration: Iain was endlessly and avowedly awed by the invention and verbal wit of Clive James's songwriting with Pete Atkins.
The late, great Sir David Frost once said that television was "an invention that permits you to be entertained in your living room by people you wouldn't have in your home".
Eyebolts, a feature in US police stations before Guantanamo, are not Zuley's invention.
Of course this is nonsense, the groundless invention of a new and bogus constitutional principle.
