Should the scholars and researchers be free to pursue the research areas that interest them, no matter how unusual or idiosyncratic those areas may seem, as the speaker asserts? Or should they choose focus on the areas that are most likely to contribute to the society? I tend to agree with the speaker, researchers and scholars should have their freedom to choose the research fields they are interested in as long as their researches do not bring negative impacts on the individual and society.
First of all, it would be difficult to decide whether a research would makes contribution to the society. A larger number of contributions were rather incidents, or were the byproducts in the process of research. Madam Curie did not intentionally decide to discover the element of radium. However, it is true that what she discovered not only crowned her with Noble Prize, but also greatly contributed to our society. Moreover, certain researcher's contributions were even be recognized as preposterous at first, but later prove to be true. For instance, Galileo’s method that the shape of our earth is round was criticized by the authority, but latter everybody benefit from his theory.
Secondly, as an old saying goes, interest is the best teacher. By human nature we are motivated to pursue those activities where we excel. By compel their research focus only on certain areas that are beneficial to the society, researchers and scholars might lack the inspiration of personal interest. Thus it would be unlikely to produce any meaningfully contribution and innovation from the assigned field.
However, in the way they pursuing their individual interests, scholars and researchers should keep in mind not harming the society with their work. Their interest should not consist of any treacherous and evil portion that may damage the individuals or society as a whole. There still convention, regulations, moral and ethnic commitments that scientists should obey.
To summarize, I agree that we should allow academic scholars and researchers have their freedom in choosing research areas within the limits of social regulation and ethic commitment. Engaging one's individual talents in one's particular area of fascination is most likely to yield advances, discoveries and innovations that serve to make our world a better place to live in.