It’s an interesting question. It certainly seems like basic research is a good thing and that it has brought lots of good things, which, so far, probably outweigh the bad things. But we are heading towards the greatest genocide ever, even more - the Anthropocine, and that may change the answer.
Ok i might have missed some earlier conversation. I saw someone saying “gmo is bad for your health” whichis wrong (and meaningless). Then i saw this thread with a poll where Monsanto is evil looked quite consensus.
Being used by who? It’s like you’re upset with late-stage capitalism and consumerist preferences but you chose to yell at science. Man, you don’t even know what you’re talking about, actual scientists have been warning about monocultures and everything you’re worried about since before way you were born.
Like, the only reason you know monocultres are bad is because some dork in a labcoat explained that to you. Step off, bro.
And lots of scientists work for, say, Monsanto(Bayer).
Maybe you should bitch and moan about these people who are applying science to devious ends and not science itself, right? Like, it’s a poor craftsman who blames his tools.
Kinda seems like Monsanto is the big bad here.
Or whatever. Scientists working for Exxon if you prefer. Or Lockheed-Martin.
No, but you absolutely are, and it’s sort of weird.
Yes, maybe go yell at the CEOs of Exxon and Lockheed-Martin.
Also the people who work there, especially those who could work somewhere else and still live comfortably.
I hate Monsanto so much. With the passion of a thousand suns. It also infuriates me that they are the umbrella for so many other brands so I need to research everything I buy for my garden. Luckily I am cheap and save seeds, swap with friends and compost, fish for Carp and fertilise with them and worm farm like crazy. This keeps my consumption down and I don’t need to google so much. Fuck Monsanto.
You have no idea how bench-level science guys with bachelor’s degrees live their lives.
PS: your entire livelihood rests on these kinds of people that you hate so much making maximally efficient solar cells. You could work somewhere else and still live comfortably.
What the fuck makes you think you know so much about what and who we know?
You think I don’t know anyone who works in SCIENCE?
Are you seriously not able to grasp the concept that there can be good things done with SCIENCE and bad things? You’d rather we just say thank you rather than question the manner in which you provide our SCIENCE. Or we have to grab a beaker and man a post?
And I don’t live especially comfortably, partly because I chose to do something that I think does some good.
I posted and deleted something because I’m trying to not be too much of an asshole, but jesus this is a stupid post.
If you average out the good and bad done by scientists rather than focusing only on the good ones, it is a lot easier to not feel guilty about a choice to become an accountant a lawyer or a salesmen rather than someone who could have changed the world.
Not making a point, but thinking about good/bad science and me…I used to work for neuroscientists who cut off monkey fingers…but they were doing good imo, at least when I was working there.
when we moved here we had dinner with another israeli couple who lives here and apparently there is a fairly big ‘monkey farm’ (primate research center) and the guy was in charge of the well being of the primates.
Interesting job in terms of good/bad/etc.
The people I worked for (as a web developer) demonstrated cortical remapping and used what they learned to help children with hearing/speech/writing problems.
One of my favorite books ever is “Love at Goon Park” which is about the scientist who did the experiments with the wire mother for monkeys (I think some gave electric shocks) and the pit of despair. That research led to some dramatic and important changes in the way newborn humans were treated and child rearing in general. (though that was more of a return to good child rearing after a period of stupid scientists who thought you should avoid doing stuff like touching babies) LaGP is my only and absolutely whole hearted recommendation as a book for new parents.
And more personal anecdotes…the guy who was a partner with BF Skinner was the father or grandfather of someone who married into my wife’s family. Their family was full of fucked up people and several suicides. They were raised on those like tabula rasa principles.
Trolly, in order for you to attribute the point of view to Micro and Johnny you would have to do 2 things.
1.) Give their arguments the worst possible interpretation.
2.) Assume they have the worst possible intentions.
I think both posters should be giving the benefit of the doubt, even if you disagree with them.