Re: Anti-science movement was re: Cable ZAPPED

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: "Steve Zeitler" <zeitler@xxxxxxxxxxx>


----- Original Message ----- From: "Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
To: <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 9:02 AM
Subject: Anti-science movement was re: Cable ZAPPED


> Original poster: Steve Conner <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
> At 20:06 04/06/05 -0600, you wrote:
> > Original poster: "Paul B. Brodie" <pbbrodie@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >
> > Unfortunately, for the past couple of decades, there has been a strong 
> > anti-science/anti-intellectual movement in the US. Even before I retired 
> > in 1998, people at work seldom if ever discussed anything remotely like 
> > science... It has only gotten worse since then, according to my wife.
>
> Hi Paul, it's good to see you back on the list. I see a similar thing 
> happening here in Britain, and I think it is probably happening in most 
> cultures that take their cues from the US. It just doesn't seem to be 
> "cool" to have an interest in science and technology, except in  the most 
> shallow way, like owning the latest mobile phone or mp3 pod or sports car. 
> It's cool to own these things but if you take any interest in the way they 
> work, you are a nerd or an egghead! I wonder why the devices are cool but 
> the people who design them are not.
>
> I think in these dark times, people who truly love science and knowledge 
> for its own sake have gone into hiding. Organisations like the TCML, the 
> Geek Group, and 4hv.org are like an underground resistance movement 
> against the creeping tide of reality TV shows, over-loud car stereos, 
> multiple nose piercings, and Levi's "Anti-Fit" jeans (which would probably 
> not even be possible without computer-aided design, but who cares, man!)
>
> I also think the Tesla coil is a powerful symbol of what we believe in. 
> It's pretty much the epitome of science for its own sake, as you will know 
> if you've ever demonstrated a coil and been asked "Why did you build that 
> thing" or "What does it do" and tried to come up with a satisfying answer. 
> You can't explain the reason to someone who has no interest in science, 
> and you don't need to explain it to anyone who does.
>
> I hope that one day the zeitgeist will turn back towards an interest in 
> science and technology and we will storm the Tate Gallery with Tesla coils 
> blazing :-))))
>
> P.S. I apologize for using fancy-a** city boy words like "epitome" and 
> "zeitgeist"
>
> Steve Conner


Unfortunately, it seems to run deeper than a lack of science knowledge. 
Basic-in your head-  addition and subtraction is a lost art. Road map 
reading or for that matter reading of any sort is a rarity anymore. 
History? forget it. If it takes a little thinking, most people won't 
bother. Most of the people on my block don't have computers... but everyone 
has cable or a dish. We are witnessing the rapid decline of the USA
                                                     Steve Z
                                                   Philly