Re: The Republic does not need scientists

["M. Kolar" <wddm(at)mkolar.org>]

Georges,
   "The Republic" needs (will need) scientists very much. [Especially in the
very very long run, when our Sun will end its life in a few billion years, only
the scientists, science, scientific knowledge will be capable to save humankind
- move it somewhere else in the space or find a replacement energy source for
the Sun. But for this, and all other practical problems, the quality of the
knowledge would matter - knowledge as objective repetitively experimentally
verifiable facts, and not one's subjective ideas about what is the origin of
knowledge (epistemology).]

   The truth is that scientists will face some challenges in DD (perhaps
another suitable WDDM topic?). They are often submerged completely in solving
their beautiful and difficult scientific problems for long periods of time
completely oblivious to the society around them if only somebody is willing to
fund their efforts. That's why in the past relied mainly on rich enlightened
patrons (maecenases) and at present on the ruling elites who collect taxes from
the general population and give some of it for funding science in exchange for
the scientist also (or mainly) working on projects that benefit predominantly
elites (such as development of new weapons, destructive for the population at
large). In DD, scientist will have to convince directly the whole community
that their work is worth funding. And some of them will have to become less
arrogant. But I believe that a very good balance will be found, especially if
we all believe that free people who would be fully responsible for their lives
will become more overall educated (enlightened).

   But seriously, to the present matter: This list is reserved mainly to
various announcements, "administrative" matters. It is not a place for
arbitrary free discussion on any topic. It was said here several times before.
So I do not understand why there is an angry reaction when it is reminded
again. That has nothing to do with limiting the freedom of discussion. It has
all to do with the basic human politeness and respecting others. If you want to
have a special discussion on epistemology, please, by all means set it up in a
more appropriate place. For example in the D2 Discussion Zone mentioned in my
previous e-mail. There everybody who is interested in such a discussion will be
able to read it, and it won't fill up the mailboxes of the people who are not
interested in it.

   People are coming here to the WDDM for the specific purpose outlined by our
mission, and some have already left this mailing list exactly because of the
"prattle", some of your submissions seem to me to be a prime example of (here I
do not question in any way your scientific erudition, just the fact that they
are completely off the topic here).

> I am the only member of this list who did something
> practical:
    By all means, please, write up about all your practical experience that can
be useful for the promotion of DD in other places in a language readily
understandable to the general audience, and post it up here!

    With friendly greetings,
Mirek

-----------------
The world would become a much better place if everybody made it a habit to try
to imagine the state of mind of others, including their opponents and enemies.
You don’t have to agree with them or condone their acts, just try to understand
their motives.