Why Science Is An Insconsquential Enterprise.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Man has been able to live to 70 or 80 for the last couple thousand years. It's just now, more people live to that age than before.

Shouldn't we see people living to 100,150, 200 years old by now

Oh, and in case you haven't visited a senior care home lately, it's quite a sad end.


KT

Actually living to 70-80 even 500 years ago, let alone 2000 years ago was extremely rare. The average life span was 40-45 years. As the old age home thing, they are minority of the elderly. Most old folks these days are still fully functional at 80-90.

[trekkor]

As a side to the glory of science...

The 20th century saw over 100 million war deaths, over 3x more than the preceding 19 centuries combined.

Effective weaponry. What's next?


KT

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by dewolf

Actually...

You appear to be disagreeing with me.
Most people still die before 80 worldwide.


KT

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by trekkor

The 20th century saw over 100 million war deaths, over 3x more than the preceding 19 centuries combined.

KT

I don't believe that.

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by dewolf

I don't believe that.

Which part?



KT

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Which part?



KT

both

[kstar]

This thread is a fine example of expert tabster baiting!

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Which part?



KT

both. i should say based on populations the preceding 19 centuries would have a higher %

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by kstarnes

This thread is a fine example of expert tabster baiting!

lol

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by dewolf

both

So, you stand on the position that there weren't more than 100 million war deaths in the 20th century?

( using scientific advances, to stay on-topic )


KT

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by trekkor

So, you stand on the position that there weren't more than 100 million war deaths in the 20th century?

( using scientific advances, to stay on-topic )


KT

All guesses and estimates.

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by dewolf

All guesses and estimates.

True, yet the 20th century is still undisputed and accepted as the century with the most war dead. *Everyone* agrees it's over 100 million.

Why hasn't science stopped that?
Why hasn't science produced world peace?


KT

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by trekkor

Why hasn't science produced world peace?


KT

Religion and money. Two things science can't stop.

And I believe the last 40-50 years has been the most peaceful time the planet has ever seen

[tabs]

Originally Posted by ckissick

So, aside from the fact that science is what is responsible for allowing us to live the way we do and for more than about 30 years before we die, what you, tabs, are saying (I think) is that science became obsolete when we invented a way to wipe ourselves out with the Bomb. At that moment it became more important for humans to learn to control their behavior, so as not to push the Button.

BUT: What of the approaching asteroid that's out there somewhere? It will wipe us out more efficiently than the A-bomb. Our behavior does not control the asteroid. In such a scenario, science is most important because it can either deflect the asteroid or at least help some humans survive and repopulate the world.

AND: The probability that a large asteroid will hit the earth someday is effectively 100%. The probability that humans will unleash enough A-bombs to equal the destruction of a large asteroid is less than 100%, IMHO. Therefore, science is more important.

"Science would become most important if we discovered a rock hurtling at us from a long ways away. Then science might actuallly save us."


From an earlier post in this Thread.

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by ckissick

help some humans survive and repopulate the world.

I'm in. I know how important repopulation would be.

[avi8torny]

Those were words from Charlie Rose.com........tabs has been busy on the Charlie Rose science series : from Freud to the mysteries of the human brain

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by dewolf

I'm in. I know how important repopulation would be.

I'm sure you're telling all the girls that it's really important for you to hone your repopulation skills so you're ready when needed.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

IMHO, the ultimate state of being human comes down to one thing: making the world a better place for the guy next to you. Voilà, you are instantly consequential. you are happier, the guy next to you is happier.

Interesting discussion. The facility I work at is devoted essentially 100% to scientific research. Shaun more or less nails it above - "making the world a better place for the guy next to you" is what this facility is really all about. I personally think there is something noble in that quest, regardless of how inconsequential it is in the big picture.

Science is nothing more than a tool to understand the world around us (and to sometimes manipulate it). There have been good things to come out of scientific research and bad things, but that only reflects human nature and not any shortcoming of "science".

[trekkor]

Originally Posted by dewolf

And I believe the last 40-50 years has been the most peaceful time the planet has ever seen

I strongly disagree.

Korean, Vietnam, Gulf 1 and 2 wars, just to name a few.
There have been endless wars.

How many days have been free from war since the close of WWII?


KT

[john70t]

Scyence ain't just for the huemans!!! Consider da first 1856(inlaid silver-nickle mix on 18 carot) Goldfield spork I stole at recent auction for $750. used for gobbling up all kinds of critters and making them fear for their livez. U boyz don't know how the buffet table changed since then.



(sorry tabby )