It Really Doesn't Bother Me.

[Fkeu'itan]

The need for power at a loss of everything else is a pretty sad existance in my opinion.

[Isard]

Depends on what its at the expense of. Just saying "we know enough, lets just sit here" isn't going to satisfy a majority of humanity. We want to know "why" about everything.

[Fkeu'itan]

But the question comes back again... do we NEED to know why?

(And the expense i'm talking about is esentially the destruction as Earth as a planet and consequently, the human race as a species.)

[Na'vi_supporter]

Well, what should we do intead of science? If we have enough mental power to explore secrets of the nature why should we not use it? I think that missing this oportunity and just living with no higher goal is wasting too.

Anyway, don't get me wrong, there have to be some limits and science (better said technology which is application of scientific results) should be use in a right way.

[Isard]

Originally Posted by Fkeu'itan

But the question comes back again... do we NEED to know why?

(And the expense i'm talking about is esentially the destruction as Earth as a planet and consequently, the human race as a species.)

No we don't. But most of us want to.

[X.,.Pandora.,.X]

*stares at Tali* om nom nom nom, im off topic, probably cause this is a whales thread !!!

[Sonoran Na'vi]

Technology mainly advances, it seems to me, when there is demand for it or when there is potential demand for it. An invention is not going to get off the ground if it does not benefit people, a process (such as manufacturing), or results in a reduction of resources used. Without many of our technological advances, our quality of life would not be nearly as high as it is (especially concerning medical technology). The problems of consuming too much of our resources and ethics are problems that will exist whether or not technology exists.

[Fkeu'itan]

Originally Posted by Sonoran Na'vi

Technology mainly advances, it seems to me, when there is demand for it or when there is potential demand for it. An invention is not going to get off the ground if it does not benefit people, a process (such as manufacturing), or results in a reduction of resources used. Without many of our technological advances, our quality of life would not be nearly as high as it is (especially concerning medical technology). The problems of consuming too much of our resources and ethics are problems that will exist whether or not technology exists.

True, but how does the discovery of another dimension really benefit you or I? The most i'm probably going to do is say "Wow, that's incredible." and then go on with my life. It seems the results of CERN (for a standard example) are only ever going to benefit the elitist few as they are the only ones with the understanding to appreciate the potential importance of the results.

Again, you could say that we may discover a new way to harness that discovery but that, again, is creating a (really quite shaky and not entirely solid) end to justify the means.

Indeed, without technological advances, our lives would be more difficult but is that to say they'd be worse as well?

[Na'vi_supporter]

Originally Posted by Fkeu'itan

True, but how does the discovery of another dimension really benefit you or I? The most i'm probably going to do is say "Wow, that's incredible." and then go on with my life. It seems the results of CERN (for a standard example) are only ever going to benefit the elitist few as they are the only ones with the understanding to appreciate the potential importance of the results.

True. But, what would they say to idea of stopping scientifical progress? For some of us science is the main point of life, and since it's not basically destructive or harmfull or at least it's not done with intention of harm anyone, it can be considered as injustice.

[Sonoran Na'vi]

Originally Posted by Fkeu'itan

True, but how does the discovery of another dimension really benefit you or I? The most i'm probably going to do is say "Wow, that's incredible." and then go on with my life. It seems the results of CERN (for a standard example) are only ever going to benefit the elitist few as they are the only ones with the understanding to appreciate the potential importance of the results.

Quite difficult to say in regard to this particular example (as I am not a physicist and, as you pointed out, it may be hard to appreciate the findings and possibilities of CERN without being knowledgeable in regard to physics...). Many times new discoveries are discovered on accident while pursuing another goal (sticky notes, anyone?...). But, if anything, maybe the knowledge gained from CERN will help us increase our possibilities in areas such as space travel.

Indeed, without technological advances, our lives would be more difficult but is that to say they'd be worse as well?

That depends on what technology we are referring to. Some technological advances have led to much longer life spans, quicker recovery and relief from disease and injury (which contributes to longer life spans), as well as a reduction in things like infant mortality.

[Fkeu'itan]

Originally Posted by Na'vi_supporter

True. But, what would they say to idea of stopping scientifical progress? For some of us science is the main point of life, and since it's not basically destructive or harmfull or at least it's not done with intention of harm anyone, it can be considered as injustice.

I don't think a lack of intentional harm is really good enough when it causes actual harm. No one ever went drilling for oil intentionally looking to cause harm, yet look where we are now with that.

(Apologies to you both, my replies are beginning to get a bit lack-lustre, it's late and I really should sleep. I will continue and reply tomorrow if that's alright with you. )

[Na'vi_supporter]

Originally Posted by Sonoran Na'vi

Quite difficult to say in regard to this particular example (as I am not a physicist and, as you pointed out, it may be hard to appreciate the findings and possibilities of CERN without being knowledgeable in regard to physics...). Many times new discoveries are discovered on accident while pursuing another goal (sticky notes, anyone?...). But, if anything, maybe the knowledge gained from CERN will help us increase our possibilities in areas such as space travel.

And thats one of the interesting parts of the science, surprises during experiments, finding new things that wasn't predicted by theory. In fact both results(proving theory or founding something new which goes against predictions) is success. But this is also a hidden danger, as it seems to me, because so far experiments didn't lead toa ny destructive events, but who knows what will come next.

[Na'vi_supporter]

Originally Posted by Fkeu'itan

I don't think a lack of intentional harm is really good enough when it causes actual harm. No one ever went drilling for oil intentionally looking to cause harm, yet look where we are now with that.

(Apologies to you both, my replies are beginning to get a bit lack-lustre, it's late and I really should sleep. I will continue and reply tomorrow if that's alright with you. )

I find drilling oil as aplication, technology for making a profit and they know it is harmfull, but greed is more powerfull. Well, if we leave science field, and speak about techology than you are right. It's up to society how to use new discover. Discovery of radioactivity was scientific part, than using it as weapon was application.

Late for me too, its after midnight I shoud go, coz I am starting to telling things without any deep thinking

[Sonoran Na'vi]

Originally Posted by Fkeu'itan

(Apologies to you both, my replies are beginning to get a bit lack-lustre, it's late and I really should sleep. I will continue and reply tomorrow if that's alright with you. )

I can sympathize. We'll see you tomorrow

Originally Posted by Na'vi_supporter

And thats one of the interesting parts of the science, surprises during experiments, finding new things that wasn't predicted by theory. In fact both results(proving theory or founding something new which goes against predictions) is success. But this is also a hidden danger, as it seems to me, because so far experiments didn't lead toa ny destructive events, but who knows what will come next.

I agree. And when it comes to experiment that have a bit of a dangerous element, I hope that the people involved take the necessary precautions to prevent any perceivable danger.

[GLaDOS]

A very good question, they say necessity is the mother of invention. Advancement is never done for the sake of advancement, every piece of technology and invention is done because there is a reason to have it, and it has a particular niche it can fill.

A pen was never designed to kill someone, it was built to write. Yet if I jam it into your ear and into your brain I can kill you. Someone will take your knewly minted knowledge and apply it to as many areas as they can, including devising new ways to kill. This is inevitable and is the researchers burden knowing that their knowledge may unlock new weapons.

But if we do not unlock them then a potential enemy might, they may have no problems using incredibly destructive devices against us, poisoning their own selves in the process.