Some Qs. people asked me on science and my replies to them - Part 38

We can speak for all of science because we are trained in scientific method and  methodology which is common for all the fields of science and is the backbone of science.

The problem why people treat scientists as arrogant is several of the characteristics of arrogant people are similar to the characteristics of 'learned' people.

Arrogant people believe that they know more than they do, and they will talk as if they are experts. Scientists will also talk like experts, often because they are experts! If you're not an expert yourself it may be tricky to tell them apart.

Arrogant people won't listen to others and don't like to take input or criticism. Scientists will also ignore 'nonsense' from other people, because they understand what they're doing is right and better than the people who are giving them an 'advise'.

Arrogant people may put others down by correcting them or try to make themselves feel good by making other people feel inferior. Scientists can make other people feel inferior simply by being smarter.

That is the reality! Many smart people cross the fine line between the two, either because they don't realise how they come over there or because they don't care. And in some sense they have a point - if you're right and you know you're right it can be tiresome to deal with someone who clearly doesn't understand something as well as you do, especially if they don't realise it. This is very unfortunate. It's a tough situation to be in.

Many scientists have to defend science against irrational opinions and beliefs. When a non-expert has an opinion different from an expert in the field, I think the expert has earned a right to be more authoritative. I don't think it is fair to call this arrogance.

Q: Are scientists kept private?

Krishna: No, majority of the scientists are very much in the public domain! Seek and you will find!

But some vested interests who want to keep their work secret, might hide their researchers. Scientists who agree to these terms and conditions suffer a lot.

Q: What are some things scientists love to get addicted to?

Krishna:  Scientific Knowledge, undoubtedly. And I am addicted to it. I cannot live even for a single day without learning about something published new in scientific research. It is my food, my oxygen, my love and my everything! :)

Q: Why Indian scientists lack in inventions and discoveries unlike the scientists of Western world?

Krishna: There are several reasons for this situation like inadequate funds, lack of proper atmosphere, peoples’ mind sets, inadequate infrastructure, lack of creativity, inadequate and improper training. Read the problems we face and their solutions in detail here: How to make scientific research in India a success story

Q: Are our present scientists more intelligent than the scientists of the past?  

Krishna: The present scientists have more knowledge at their disposal to creatively connect various things, they have technologically advanced equipment to test more of their theories, can have more collaborations to get and consider great ideas, more colleagues to criticize and correct them and more media outlets to share their work with the wider world outside.

So they look and sound more intelligent.

Q: Why can’t IITs make world famous scientists even when having a great infrastructure and research facility?  

Krishna: You have to have the mind set and qualities of a scientist to become one. If your goals are just working with a MNC and getting a great salary, how can you become one? 

Q: When I read your answers to the questions people pose, I feel this is an unfair world. 

Scientists do all the hard work, while rest of the world just sits and enjoys the comforts and luxuries brought forth by science!

Krishna: :)But there is another way to look at it too. It is a tragedy for humankind that such a tiny percentage of our species has ever had access to our collective knowledge while the rest are some what ignorant due to various reasons!  

I am one such privileged person to have knowledge at my disposal and got the training to  comprehend it in the right way and I feel sad everyone around me don't have that luxury. That is why I am trying to educate people to make them reach the scientific knowledge summits.  

Contributions to the world, in my view, shouldn’t be measured based on inventions or discoveries. There have have been countless people throughout history that have done significant things that have influenced the society we are today.

Q: If we take the top scientists and lock them in a lab until they find a cure for cancer, how long would it take? It seems weird that we advance in every aspect of technology except medicine. Every year we have a newer and better computers and yet, we still don’t have a cure for horrible diseases. Does no one care?  

Krishna: What do you think scientists are doing? Sleeping?

They are working day and night to find cures for several diseases, man. But their work is limited by funds.

You spend more on sports and movies. Aren't politians and beaurocrats wasting more public money on their personal quests? Aren't the rich wasting so much money on celebrations and parties? Each and every project the Indian government under takes is wasting large sums of money because of corruption and mismanagement. I can give several other examples which waste lots of money like useless Diwali crackers which just go up in smoke.

You buy new phones, computers, watches and all the gadgets very frequently.

But ask people and Governments to provide funds for scientific research. You face dead silence. Then how do you expect to get results?

If you don’t provide the suitable atmosphere for scientists how can they work in the first place?

If you lock me up and ask me to find a cure for a disease without providing the infrastucture and funds and the right atmosphere to work, I will still work but it takes several decades for me to find a solution for the problems you are facing!

Get that right first. And go get funds for us if you really care about the humanity.

Q: Are scientists the real super stars?

Krishna: They are superb ... stars or not!

Q: Which scientists were against the presence of god?  

Krishna: I don’t think scientists are against the ‘presence of God’. But most of them are against the argument of presence of God without any evidence.

Q: Do scientists also get distracted by a desire to watch TY, read fiction, travel etc., like common people?