Mar 14 2013: That's an interesting point Susan and I agree with you. An issue that arises is where this money comes from. I am not so sure that people will be willing to have their tax money go to something that isn't 100% sure to succeed, so even if the scientist takes the responsibility for their consequences, that doesn't solve the issue of what has happened. Do you think it even matters whether they take the responsibility? The consequences still happened; that's that. What do you think?
Mar 13 2013: Money may be another issue. Do you think we should carry something out despite a potentially large cost for something that may or may not yield beneficial results?
Mar 13 2013: I say calculated risk for a reason. For example, I wouldn't want a group of individuals to carry out their experiment if it is known that there is a large chance of many people dying. Instead, we need to find ways in order to remove that risk, and then the experiment should be carried out, especially if that experiment carries many benefits. I wouldn't abandon ship on something if it has big risk. We should take the time and effort to reduce that risk.
Mar 13 2013: I agree that it isn't science that is the blame but what people have done with this newly acquired knowledge. How is this connected to religion in anyway? I am all for science and do not practice a religion, but I am having difficulty connecting this to religion.
Mar 13 2013: I don't think this technique will turn out to be the only technique in which students learn. Every student has their own background, own way of learning. This process is wonderful for certain types of learners, but we can't ignore those that don't learn as well this way.
Mar 13 2013: This is a great comment Mathew. I do have one question, not just for you, but for all: if a culture that does not make being educated easy (the stress of being learned), how reasonable is it to overturn this culture and increase the awareness through education? Is it plausible and if so, what will it take?
Mar 12 2013: I think we should dare to take the risk, although a calculated risk. Without acting, no results will come out of it, and I see that as worse than having a negative or positive result.
Mar 12 2013: That is a really insightful comment. What if you are using this tool or object for good and it yield negative consequences that were unforeseen? Would you still be responsible?
Mar 11 2013: There is definitely a crisis present; lack of clean water has caused so many diseases that cause suffering in many indigenous and poorer communities. I just went to Panama, in Darien, and witnessed life in the embera community, and water is scarce. Sewage flooding is an issue, disease is spreading.
BUT there are organizations that are trying to build water infrastructure that, with time, can attenuate the water crisis.
Mar 11 2013: Our awareness of how much we rely on the resources given to us from the world is there. We understand this interdependence, but sometimes, it doesn't affect our actions. The culture we've grown in is demanding. We demand results now, products now, and those desires trump the importance of protecting our planet. I fear that no matter how much we search for a solution to gain sustainability, human self-interest will overshadow it until we are about to crash.
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A reply on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
A reply on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
A reply on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
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A comment on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
A reply on Conversation: Are scientists responsible for the consequences of their discoveries?
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BUT there are organizations that are trying to build water infrastructure that, with time, can attenuate the water crisis.
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