SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS A TOKEN OF HUMANKIND'S SURVIVAL by Vladimir Keilis-Borok

 SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS A TOKEN OF HUMANKIND'S SURVIVAL

Vladimir Keilis-Borok (1921-2013)

Introduction

This essay "Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind Survival" has been written by Vladimir Keilis-Borok, a Russian mathematical, geophysicist and seismologist. He taught at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was the research group leader of the International Institute for Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics, Russian Academy of Science.

He was also Co-director (and Founder) of the Research Programme on non-linear dynamics and earthquake prediction of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste.

In the essay 'Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s Survival', Keilis-Borok says about his profession as a scientist, and views that science is the humankinds’ indispensable guardian and caretaker. This essay has presented the facts related to science and its outstanding contribution to the lives of the people of the world. This writer shows how scientists of the world rising above their national identities try to find solutions for common problems of nations.

Summarizing the essay

The writer starts his essay with a popular expression "If you are so clever, why are you so poor?". He asks why some of us wants to become scientists though scientists get lower earnings than the businessmen, lawyers and doctors. It is because they cannot live without science. The writer as a scientist believes that science is an exciting adventure where the major reward comes from the discovery itself. Instead of big money, the scientist enjoys freedom, camaraderie, independence. They get honours and promotions through their discoveries. There is great feeling of uncovering one of nature´s mysteries.

An instant understanding, the efficiency of thought and action, and a good feeling that comes when the like-minded people work together. (F. Press)

During the height of the cold war in 1960, the writer was in Moscow doing research on the theory of seismic waves—tremors in the earth generated by an earthquake. He was absorbed in the problem with mathematical challenge.

The writer talks about his experience during the cold war with his readers. He was summoned by the President of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The President showed him a letter from Geneva related to a meeting of Geneva about nuclear weapons. An American scientist, Frank Press called him to Geneva to attend the discussion. As a result, the writer found himself in Geneva.

At that time, the threat of annihilation (complete destruction) by nuclear weapons was so high. People were living in fear because of nuclear weapons and the height of cold war during 1960. The superpower nations as Russia (Soviet), America and England had lots of nuclear weapons. They could easily destroy other nations in their first strike using nuclear weapons. There was the threat of `Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)´. To protect all of us from the common fatal fate, the three nuclear powers were willing to come to an agreement putting a ban on the new nuclear weapons test. For that, the technical experts (scientists) were summoned to solve the problem that arose.

First the nuclear powers had signed the agreement to stop the test of new nuclear weapons. They faced the problem that if anyone violated the agreement by secret underground testing of nuclear weapons, how could they (other powers) detect that test.

The writer had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves. His theoretical knowledge had a direct application in the area of survival of humankind. He had very good knowledge about tremors of underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. With his knowledge, the writer would easily know the difference between the two different tremors.

In the time of cold war, scientists and engineers from opposite sides had to come to an understanding to promote world peace and prevent the use of nuclear weapons. They were able to work out a solution that eventually allowed politicians to reach one of the most important decisions of their times: nuclear test ban.

That episode taught the writer that science is the hope of survival and well-being of all of us. According to writer, scientists are the most practical people in the world. This could be seen in new technologies, new brands of the industry from defence to entertainment. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis etc. The basic research or knowledge of science always supports people in their lives. Science can give us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, efficient defence from terrorism, cure from cancer, new forms of transportation.

The writer says the survival of our civilization is threatened by natural and man-made disasters. Among them, the natural disasters are earthquakes, a self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises A massive release of radioactivity from nuclear waste disposal and an outburst of mass violence are cited by the writer as man-made disasters that can cause a million of casualties. Such dangers keep growing, although trillions dollars a year are spent to contain them by all known techniques.

The hope and the responsibility for breaking the stalemate rest not on the money but on intellectual resources. According to the French proverb: “Nobody is satisfied with his wealth, everybody is satisfied with his wisdom.”

Ours is the time of contest over issues not completely understood. (Mc George Bundy)

Scientific research is an exciting venture into the great unknown and the token of humankind’s survival. It is the scientists with their tools that are up to the challenge and can ensure that we all safely move with the time.

Finally, the writer has to remind us that the science is not the beginning and the end. It is more important for the humankind. Science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker.