In 1909, it would have been impossible for Rutherford to attribute an economic benefit to firing alpha particles at a thin gold foil. No ‘economic’ uses for a model of the atom existed. Without that research, pretty much no modern technology could exist. We are governed by ignorant fools. #nzpol - ThreadSky

dpdiver.bsky.social • 95 days ago

In 1909, it would have been impossible for Rutherford to attribute an economic benefit to firing alpha particles at a thin gold foil. No ‘economic’ uses for a model of the atom existed. Without that research, pretty much no modern technology could exist. We are governed by ignorant fools. #nzpol

Comments

kylehigham.bsky.social•94 days ago

Observing and calculating economic benefit is basically impossible even in the most clear cut of cases. Treating research funding as an investment in the financial sense is setting our science system up for failure and will likely be used as justification for further cuts.
https://bsky.app/profile/kylehigham.bsky.social/post/3lcjqqohkys2h

hunterdouglas.bsky.social•94 days ago

Rutherford himself famously thought the idea of making viable nuclear power reactors was "moonshine"

mjwhitehead.bsky.social•95 days ago

That, and arguably all research is of economic benefit, it just depends on how it's utilised. Humanities research that improves our art, how well we care for each other, or reduces discrimination will all indirectly benefit the economy. They just may not do so in ways Collins finds profitable.

dpdiver.bsky.social•95 days ago

Exactly.

Also, STEM as we know it wouldn't even exist without philosophy. The western scientific method is a philosophical construct.

catherinemidwif.bsky.social•95 days ago

Ignorant possibly, deliberate libertarian & authoritative (don’t question me this is what is being said in the Koru lounge) actions yes.

dpdiver.bsky.social•95 days ago

A lot of libertarians suffer from an excess of of self-confidence in their opinions backed by a complete lack of any real knowledge or understanding of the things they have opinions about. Their literary education doesn't go much further than Ayn Rand.

ponderbooks.com•94 days ago

Yup

Whole "theory" is disgustingly harmful and unworkable in practice. I don't know how many times their propaganda fueled "ideas" have to be proven wrong.

https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/21534416/free-state-project-new-hampshire-libertarians-matthew-hongoltz-hetling

a4andy42.bsky.social•95 days ago

dpdiver.bsky.social•95 days ago

Furthermore, it took 2-3 further rounds of research over several decades before you get to research projects such as Fermi’s nuclear pile (1940s) or the tunneling diode(1950s), that produced outcomes directly convertible into economic benefits.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply