While both are equally valued in their own ways, I personally would rather feel the impact within my lifetime. This is not only to see it in action, but to ensure that the work is carried out the way I want or to at least have control over the possible outcomes. By leaving research to simmer and marinate for generations, the next generation of scientists may never complete it or not share the vision of the original founder. It may never reach a meaningful conclusion and may have been just a waste of time and resources. That isn’t to say all academic research is too long-term to be meaningful, it is just a possible outcome that would be out of my personal control. I would rather know where the project is going and see how the end result will help those in need.