Science used to be Drokking fantastic-a lot of it now seems like stomm!

[NapalmKev]

Science used to be something that everyone can relate to, and enjoy. Now that it's bought and paid for by the Multi-National corps it's little more than a tool for commercialism.

Cars: in the early 1900's an electric car was built that could reach 60+ mph, over a hundred years later and still petrol engines dominate (poison) the world and it's Inhabitants.

Genetics: Human/Animal/plant genes are becoming trademarked and 'owned'. This is apparently for the 'Greater Good' but it just seems to be about making more money and having greater control over everything.

Commercial: a great deal of current scientific study seems to be geared towards the commercialization of the Human Race.
As far as I'm concerned science and the persuit of knowledge are fundamental to existence. Money isn't.

I welcome constructed feedback/comments/criticism.

Cheers 

[WhizzBang]

War has always been one of the biggest contributors to scientific and engineering advancement, so surely commercialism isn't that bad. Advancing to increase profits rather than to kill more people.

[NapalmKev]

I can appreciate what you're saying but a lot of commercial endeavors displace/harm individuals.
Example: coca cola enterprises buying land/water rights occupied by indigenous peoples, and then kicking them out. Not science admittedly; but very much not good for the people.

I think money has become the new 'God', and that's as bad as war in my book.

Thanks for your input.

[JayzusB.Christ]

I think money has become the new 'God', and that's as bad as war in my book.

Agreed.  The pursuit of short-term money is a far stronger force than the only-slightly-longer term desire not to cause the near-extinction of our species.  We're fucked

[Zarjazzer]

We faced down the divine right of Kings but who's going to face down the divine right of money? Some scientists woud argue that you need corporations as governments in effect have no money (other than what they can squeeze from taxpayers), and science of all kinds would simply not get done but modern corporations do not exist to do public good but to make profit.

Science is still fantastic and has not become completely the free markets whore (politicians and journalists certainly have) but perhaps we should be working out what science is to be used for? For me it is to discover the fundamental laws underpinning the universe/multiverse in which we exist. Not to add another nought on the balance sheet for What Choice?! Mega Corp Inc.

But in th e current economic situation it will still have to be paid for. So who's going to pay?

[NapalmKev]

Governments have the power to print/create extra money. Its no different to the economy than 'borrowing', except you don't pay interest on it.

Ideally I'd like people to do scientific research just for the sake it but this obviously isn't Utopia.

I believe there's a very real danger of the general public becoming stupified, complacent, and ultimately willing to take whatever crap is thrown at them at face value.

[M.I.K.]

Science used to be something that everyone can relate to, and enjoy.

When was this?

[NapalmKev]

Science used to be something that everyone can relate to, and enjoy.

When was this?

Perhaps I should have put "science should/could be something that everyone... Etc". But it doesn't really change the actual point of the original post.