Quote:
Originally Posted by Fat Abe
 Finishing off this year's Federal income tax form!
Then I can tackle life's more important problems, such as discovering anti-matter, confirming the existence of the Higgs boson, etc.
But, seriously, I'd rather someone discover or invent a clean, alternative form of energy that did not require drilling more than a mile beneath mean sea level. For once, physicists, engineers, and technologists should focus on a problem whose solution would immediately benefit all mankind. Knowledge for the sake of knowledge is a luxury we cannot afford, when humanity has such pressing needs as clean air, water, food, shelter, healthcare, and energy. But, who am I to argue with the status quo, i.e., research labs, universities, and government funded science projects? Other than a great world war or the race to the moon, scientists are not really motivated to solve problems using a straight line approach. We tend to get sidetracked. And boy, are we good at reducing the scope of a problem! |
Ah but who is to decide? I agree there are issues but I disagree with you getting to choose.
Many maligned the space program saying it had no use, no benefit to humanity but look around you now at all that resulted from it -- the computer you are typing on, teflon and probably a million more things that slip my mind.
Basic research is important and must be funded. The issues we face with healthcare, food, energy, environment are primarily a result of over-population. If that one issue were addressed we'd all be better off.
We are killing ourselves with our pro-creation just as bacterial colony or lemmings do....