Re:Why the Government Isn't a Bigger Version of a Startup
by ISL on Tuesday November 12, 2019 @09:22PM
(#21520638)
Should I be happy that someone researching weapons systems that might be pointed at me found my work useful? That's a strange definition of progress.
It is far from proven that a world without nuclear weapons is necessarily a world with more war.
We should not strive to get better at everything. Improving our ability to cause one another pain for its own end, for example, is cruel and inhuman. To me, the point of scientific research is a deeper understanding of Nature.
Agreed that the United States is actively engaged in armed conflict, but the integrity of our nation is arguably facing greater threats from within; a difficulty we must find our way through together.
Agreed that not all defense projects are classified -- that was a simplification. Many of the projects for which my skills are suited are classified. I'm perfectly happy accepting DARPA or similar funds for peaceful research.
> I was heartbroken the day I saw a citation of my work in a military application, as it was never the intent of the work
Isn't a cornerstone of scientific research that you never know what fruitful unrelated applications could be created by your work? The scientific community is collaborative, multidisciplinary, etc.- you should be happy your work contributed to progress.
> I'll do nuclear non-proliferation work all day
Even though full non-proliferation will likely contribute to more war?
> Humans are really, really good at killing one another -- we don't need to get better at that.
Shouldn't we ALWAYS strive to get better at everything? Isn't that the point of scientific research?
> unless we are at war
Well, we are at war. In 2018, Congress identified 7 countries that we are officially in conflict with. And if you have a broader definition of war, the number is much higher.
> Defense projects are classified, and classification is the antithesis of science.
Not all defense projects are classified.