Peter,
You are right about the waste of time distinguishing between
disciplinary differences. In fact, I note with others that 2009 is the
50th anniversary of C.P. Snow's seminal essay on the "Two Cultures", the
unfortunate separation between science and the humanities. You are
shockingly wrong, however, in absolving scientists and engineers from
the evil attendant to the use of WMD. Scientists back then, as well as
those working today in our national laboratories, (as well as our
so-called "great schools of Technology"), know exactly how their
research might be used. Their failure, along with yours, is the absence
of a moral imagination.
Merle
"Our world has sprouted a weird concept of security and a warped sense
of morality. Weapons are sheltered like treasures and children are
exposed to incineration." Bertrand Russell
Peter Lissaman wrote:
Discussions anent science, engineering and WMD are always
interesting. There are a lotta folks educated at two great schools of
Technology (one in CA, one in MA, as I was) who would not bother too
much about the distinctions, which, I think, are made by
non-professionals in the business. I do think it's worth noting
that, for better or worse, decisions on using WMD in 1915 (gas), 1945
and today were made by politicians , most of whom, I assume, were
were neither scientists, engineers , technologists or soldiers.
Peter Lissaman, Da Vinci Ventures
Expertise is not knowing everything, but knowing what to look for.
1454 Miracerros Loop South, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505
TEL: (505) 983-7728 FAX: (505) 983-1694
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FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
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============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
lectures, archives, unsubscribe, maps at http://www.friam.org
