Never mind pointless apps – our best minds should be solving real problems | Helen Lewis

A huge flowering of creativity is focused on the minor inconveniences of the cash-rich and time-poor. That's why we need proper funding for science

It all started with the snacks. A few months ago I lied to myself that eating "omega booster seeds" or tiny squares of carrot cake was in some way a substitute for nipping out to get a packet of Fruit Gums from the corner shop, and signed up to get "nibbles" delivered directly to my desk.

Related: Science research grants awarded on the basis of patents is patently wrong | Kim Carr