Synonyms – Photography Synonyms for ‘Capturing’

Some possible phrases using different modifiers for "results": 1. fast results 2. instant results 3. quick results

Note that "results" is not a precise replacement for "application." Results refer to outcome; application is what might be done with that outcome--the use to which they are put. We can have results from an experiment which have no obvious application. You may want to refer to results which can be quickly applied, to projects resulting in a quick, obvious use, or to the problem with limiting exploration to projects with a practical and predictable purpose.

The word "counter-productive" accurate describes the idea that you seem to be looking for. Your concern seems to be that it is not strong enough. I can't think of a word that means the same as "counter-productive" but stronger. The straightforward solution is just to add an adjective to intensity it. Like "extremely counter-productive" or "disastrously counter-productive".

You could recast the sentence to use the verb "backfire". Like, "This plan backfired and caused them major embarrassment" (or whatever). That's stronger than "This plan proved to be counter-productive."

I briefly thought of the term "unintended consequences", as in, "This plan had unintended consequences." But that's not really the same thing. "Counter-productive" (and "backfired") are normally understood to mean that the results were the opposite of your intended goal. Like, you wanted to make yourself look intelligent but instead you made yourself look foolish. But "unintended consequences" means that maybe you accomplished your goal but you also caused something else to happen that was bad. Like, you passed a law intended to reduce pollution, and it did reduce pollution, but it also caused thousands of people to lose their jobs.

(And please note that I exercised great restraint and have not commented on the social or political issues in any of your examples!)