05-20-2010, 09:18 PM | #1 |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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The Six most important experiments in the World
An article by one of my favorite science writers Carl Zimmer:
http://discovermagazine.com/2007/dec...tart:int=0&-C= Ran across it because #6 is the creation of Artificial life which a big step was taken today. http://carlzimmer.com/articles/2007....from=&ucat=10& |
05-21-2010, 12:28 AM | #2 |
Man Who Stares at Books
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My Biggest Experiment
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! |
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05-21-2010, 12:55 AM | #3 | |
Bah, humbug!
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Quote:
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05-21-2010, 05:59 AM | #4 | |
The Dank Side of the Moon
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Quote:
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.... |
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05-21-2010, 11:40 AM | #5 | |
Bah, humbug!
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Quote:
No doubt the first person who attempted to make fire and the first person to invent the wheel were told by their colleagues to stop screwing around and get on with the hunting and gathering because food was a more pressing concern. |
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05-21-2010, 12:11 PM | #6 | |
Wizard
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Quote:
Seconded!! Also, even if you could get everyone to drop what they were doing and focus on one thing, how much redundant research would be done? I'm saying there isn't now, but there would be significantly more if someone were to start dictating the focus of global research efforts. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it wouldn't work at all. You have to consider people likes and interests as well, that is why the variety and options present today allow more people to focus on the things that interest them instead of being forced to study something that they don't care about. |
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