Comments on: The end of science? http://futurismic.com/2009/06/23/the-end-of-science/ Presenting the fact and fiction of tomorrow since 2001 Sat, 19 May 2012 23:03:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Nick http://futurismic.com/2009/06/23/the-end-of-science/comment-page-1/#comment-34744 Nick Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:11:36 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=7931#comment-34744 I'm a bit confused by the Guardian article really. The author says that a physicist says "we shouldn't expect any new shocks to the system" and then he says "physics has the potential to take off in directions that we cannot predict" and that "physics holds the potential for a revolution in thinking". Unless he's accidentally misquoted the physicist, the author is pulling a fast one there. Also I think the strap line is misleading: the article seems to be bemoaning not the "highly professional way in which modern science is organised", but rather the corporate way in which it's organised. Two different things. I’m a bit confused by the Guardian article really. The author says that a physicist says “we shouldn’t expect any new shocks to the system” and then he says “physics has the potential to take off in directions that we cannot predict” and that “physics holds the potential for a revolution in thinking”. Unless he’s accidentally misquoted the physicist, the author is pulling a fast one there.

Also I think the strap line is misleading: the article seems to be bemoaning not the “highly professional way in which modern science is organised”, but rather the corporate way in which it’s organised. Two different things.

]]> By: Matt http://futurismic.com/2009/06/23/the-end-of-science/comment-page-1/#comment-34640 Matt Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:22:08 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=7931#comment-34640 I suspect Einstein would have objected to being considered 'independently wealthy' during the period he was a patents clerk - and so would many of the great, extremely important and revolutionary scientists who have had the benefit of working for large organisations. Does the author of that article think that science should be like a Michael Bay movie? Or that scientists should be aristocrats? What. What. I suspect Einstein would have objected to being considered ‘independently wealthy’ during the period he was a patents clerk – and so would many of the great, extremely important and revolutionary scientists who have had the benefit of working for large organisations. Does the author of that article think that science should be like a Michael Bay movie? Or that scientists should be aristocrats? What. What.

]]> By: SMD http://futurismic.com/2009/06/23/the-end-of-science/comment-page-1/#comment-34592 SMD Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:57:53 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=7931#comment-34592 To be honest, if what is considered an adequate challenge to current concepts of science is religious mumbo jumbo about how the eye is irreducibly complex, then science is doing its job in keeping such things from damaging its reputation. Radical ideas are only good if they happen to follow some sort of logical rule. I don't know, I just don't see this whole thing as a problem. We're discovering things all the time right now. What kind of radical ideas is he wanting? We're finding cures for diseases, new technologies to change our energy infrastructure, etc. It's not like science is at a loss for new discoveries...look at NASA! To be honest, if what is considered an adequate challenge to current concepts of science is religious mumbo jumbo about how the eye is irreducibly complex, then science is doing its job in keeping such things from damaging its reputation. Radical ideas are only good if they happen to follow some sort of logical rule.

I don’t know, I just don’t see this whole thing as a problem. We’re discovering things all the time right now. What kind of radical ideas is he wanting? We’re finding cures for diseases, new technologies to change our energy infrastructure, etc. It’s not like science is at a loss for new discoveries…look at NASA!

]]> By: J. Alden Page http://futurismic.com/2009/06/23/the-end-of-science/comment-page-1/#comment-34590 J. Alden Page Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:57:09 +0000 http://futurismic.com/?p=7931#comment-34590 The end of Science? I think the opposite is the case. 1. We are seeing innovations at a greater rate than we ever have in the past. 2. Breaking the mold in science isn't discouraged it's encouraged. If you can conduct a study that disproves what is currently accepted at the "status quo" it makes you famous. 3. Large corporations can and do seek new innovations. In fact they have more ability to do research towards non-standard ideas than small groups and individuals. An individual must seek out funding wherever they can get it, where corporations can afford to spend a percentage of their budget on ideas that could be revolutionary but also might not pan out. The end of Science? I think the opposite is the case.

1. We are seeing innovations at a greater rate than we ever have in the past.

2. Breaking the mold in science isn’t discouraged it’s encouraged. If you can conduct a study that disproves what is currently accepted at the “status quo” it makes you famous.

3. Large corporations can and do seek new innovations. In fact they have more ability to do research towards non-standard ideas than small groups and individuals. An individual must seek out funding wherever they can get it, where corporations can afford to spend a percentage of their budget on ideas that could be revolutionary but also might not pan out.

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