Animals,
including humans, are curious by nature. Science is what makes the curiosity of
the human animal different from that of the others. It is the tool we have
developed to explore the world to know more and answer deep and profound
questions. This includes the brain asking, and answering, the question, “how
does the brain work?”. This is uniquely human and makes humans human.
Throughout
history, however, society has had a love-hate relationship with science. In
this context, society includes the state, organized religion, politics,
commerce, citizens, and even scientists themselves. The state has tried to
suppress and discredit scientific ideas. Einstein’s theories were condemned as
“Jewish” science by some, in his day. Religion has tried to suppress scientific
ideas. Copernicus, Bruno, Galileo, and Darwin come to mind. Some ideas have
been hijacked and false or wrong ideas have been promoted – like in the case of
the Lysenko affair and Eugenics. The common citizen was shocked, rightly so, by
the inhuman use of the atomic bomb and, unfortunately, sowed the seeds of doubt
about scientists and even science itself. Finally, scientists themselves have
questioned and resisted new theories – Einstein not being enthusiastic about
the Quantum view of the world and stating, “God does not play dice”. Once
sufficient evidence has been found, they have become a part of mainstream science.
Not very long
ago, scientific progress came about through individual effort, often by people
with personal means independent of royal patronage or the state. As scientific
research has become more complex and the tools intricate, the days of
individual scientists is almost over. Science is being done more and more with
collaboration between scientists, institutes and even countries – as in the
case of CERN.
All over the
world, the state allocates money for scientific research and we, as citizens,
must be aware of where the money is going. Ideally, we should have a say in the
matter. For that to happen, we must know what is happening. Hence, science should
be communicated and be accessible to the interested common citizen.
In many
countries around the world, including scientifically and technologically advanced
countries, there appears to be a widespread skepticism about science among the
general populace. At the same time there is a great fascination with
technology, and so called result oriented research has become fashionable. This
shows lack of an understanding of the relationship between “pure” science and
technology. This has resulted in a fall in funding for scientific research. We
the citizens, need be aware that our efforts in fundamental science is
essential for our wellbeing and that of the coming generations and the progress
of humanity. It is our duty to insist that science be adequately funded and
also that it be effectively communicated.
Decades of
progress in science has improved our lives beyond what was imaginable a century
ago. One of the hallmarks of this is the widespread use of communication
technologies. Ironically, this very same technology has enabled the spreading
of false stories, pseudo-science and non-science and downright superstitions.
There are groups with narrow, short sighted, self-interest who deny global
heating, against all scientific evidence that we are mindlessly heading towards
an environmental catastrophe. A plethora of therapies of unproven efficacy and
often harmful ones have sprung up endangering human lives. Therefore, there is
a need to counter such obscurantism and protect ourselves against it. The only
way this can be achieved is by developing a scientific temper and critical
thinking. They are characterized by a refusal to accept things at face value but
unfailingly look for evidence.
These reasons
have prompted the worldwide movement called March for Science. It calls for
well-funded and widely communicated science. It aims to promote, encourage and
enable everyone to develop a scientific temper. Marches are being held in
nearly seventy-five cities and towns across the country.
In Bengaluru, the
march is on the 10th of August while in the rest of the country it is
on 9th August. Let us all participate in the march to do our bit to
protect the present and safeguard the future generations.