While I don't think knowledge is necessarily neutral, I'm surprised
that in this group of complexity folks, nothing has been said about
nonlinearity. For example, the topic of atomic fission is certainly
scary to us (as it should be, must be) but a lot of the world relies
on it for energy. We in the U.S. have been in an enviable position of
being able to buy other kinds of energy, but as a Japanese man once
said to me, how lucky for you to have that luxury. This is not an
invitation to talk about energy, but rather to say that predicting
the uses of scientific discoveries--and therefore suppressing them--
is far from obvious.
PMcC
On Jan 2, 2009, at 2:13 PM, Steve Smith wrote:
I believe this is an important but subtle topic that deserves much
more discussion.
I believe that the sfComplex should host a series of live
discussions, probably starting with a Panel presentation by a
handful of people representing differing but well-considered points
of view.
I have been considering this since we opened our doors in June, but
find that it is a very difficult topic. Perhaps the most difficult
is the polarization that seems to come with it. I have a lot of
strong opinions on this subject, some of which I've begun to try to
share here. This thread (and the one it emerged from) have tapped
a few of the ideas and opinions that need to be discussed.
We would need a format and possibly a good moderator to help avoid
the many opportunities for spinning out.
Ideas, issues, topics are welcome.
- Steve
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Pamela McCorduck
pam...@well.com
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Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
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