Future of science

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 789

Hi, are there scientists?
What do you think will be your future? Will you still work in science or
will you rather repair shoes?
Will there be money to pay mathematicians, physicists etc.?

jlw61 · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:08 am Post subject: Re: Future of science

Depends what time frame you are discussing. There will be scientists and mathamaticians as long as we don't take the time to bomb outselves into the stone age.

There were scientists long before oil and there will be many long after. The natural sciences will continue to have quite a lot of interest, but the sciences that rely on vast sums of energy to carry out their experiments are in for a rough time.

For instance, the ability to genetically modify crops will bandied about for some time, but the Fermi lab with its large particle accelerator may not survivive as few as another dozen years (pessimistic outlook, that). And the geniuses in NASA, who have the bad form to be under 40, may need to purchase a few gardening books before retirement.

Hmmm... looking at posts from this morning, I conclue it quite inadvisable to watch 3 British movies in one night. Laughing

_________________
When somebody makes a statement you don't understand, don't tell him he's crazy. Ask him what he means. -- Otto Harkaman, Space Viking

efarmer · Heavy Crude Joined: Mar 17, 2006 Posts: 485

In the southwest corner of my great American state of
Missouri, is the place where Dr. George Washington
Carver grew up. His over arching love of life and
his pursuit of agricultural and scientific solutions to
human and social problems stands on it's own like
a rock a century later. They might not be funded,
they might not be socially acceptable to the current
movers and shakers for whatever reason, they
might not be financially rewarded, but there will
be scientists. They simply have no other outlet for
their talent and expression.

It is the scientists who love what they do so much they
will gladly do it for nothing who overcome the largest
obstacles. We are going to see less scientists perhaps,
but we are going to see some awe inspiring minds rise
to the challenges ahead.

lper100km · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:58 pm Post subject: Re: Future of science

The high priests will shut it down and scientists will be hunted by the inquisitors and made to see the error of their ways. Science will be a dark art, practiced furtively and in great secrecy at risk to life and freedom. The sun will return to it’s orbit around the earth and the earth will become flat. Osiris rules!

perdition79 · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:46 pm Post subject: Re: Future of science

It's a giant step backwards when the corporate infrastructure collapses. Scientific research will again need to be sponsored by a wealthy patron, or supported by the church. Don't think we'll be headed for deep space any time soon.
_________________
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/

"We are building a religion; we are building it bigger. We are widening the corridors and adding more lanes."
Cake - Comfort Eagle

dorlomin · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Aug 05, 2007 Posts: 1061

mos6507 · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:45 pm Post subject: Re: Future of science

cube · Fusion Joined: Mar 12, 2005 Posts: 3562

PO == the end of "Big" science projects

like this Smile

MrBill · Expert Joined: Sep 15, 2005 Posts: 5366 Location: Eurasia

Speaking of scientists. Cannot spent nuclear fuel be recycled? I thought we were currently running our reactors on spent Soviet nuclear war heads? Does this not apply to garden variety enriched uranium? Sorry for my own ignorance. Thanks.