“The people, I would say. There is no patent. Could you patent the sun?” This was Jonas Salk’s reaction <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erHXKP386Nk&ab_channel=GlobalCitizen> during a 1955 interview when Edward R. Murrow asked him about the ownership of the patent for the newly invented polio vaccine. Almost 70 years later, in 2024, this response continues to surprise new generations and inspire change.
The interviewer’s question is also striking: “Who owns the patent on this vaccine?” Murrow did not ask whether anyone would hold a patent on this invention. The way this question is framed conveys an undeniable air of naturalness. It is based on what the interviewer perceived was a logical assumption: “If there is a potentially profitable invention, then of course someone already holds exclusive rights to it.” Watching the recording of the interview, it is clear that Jonas Salk disagrees with this logic. Various people might detect traces of indignation, surprise, and even irony in his brief statement. His memorable response is, in fact, a curious blend of these emotions. Nevertheless, it also reflects other sentiments that can be particularly useful in addressing our current challenges. To this day, Salk’s stance impresses with its courage, selflessness, and spontaneity. Especially relevant is Jonas Salk’s ability to recognize the absurd. Despite the supposed naturalness of Murrow’s question, Salk is not fooled and, disconcertingly, points out the impropriety of the question. After all, how could anyone think of limiting the production and access to a technology capable of saving millions of lives? https://peoplesdispatch.org/2024/06/21/29-years-without-jonas-salk-against-the-normalization-of-the-absurd/ -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#30864): https://groups.io/g/marxmail/message/30864 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/106832373/21656 -=-=- POSTING RULES & NOTES #1 YOU MUST clip all extraneous text when replying to a message. #2 This mail-list, like most, is publicly & permanently archived. #3 Subscribe and post under an alias if #2 is a concern. #4 Do not exceed five posts a day. -=-=- Group Owner: [email protected] Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/marxmail/leave/8674936/21656/1316126222/xyzzy [[email protected]] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
