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As for the motivations of researchers: If any student comes to me and says he wants to be useful to mankind and go into research to alleviate human suffering,

As for the motivations of researchers: If any student comes to me and says he wants to be useful to mankind and go into research to alleviate human suffering, I advise him to go into charity instead. Research wants real egotists who seek their own pleasure and satisfaction, but find it in solving the puzzles of nature. --Albert Szent-Györgyi My [indefensible] impression is that altruistic culture is a strong part of the reason why the quality of biomedical researchers is so poor, and cancer research funding is so often near-fraudulent.

musage 9y ago
"Research" doesn't want anything, and if that guy wants that, he should make a good case for it. Personally, I find this has the priorities much more in line: > Our time is distinguished by wonderful achievements in the fields of scientific understanding and the technical application of those insights. Who would not be cheered by this? But let us not forget that human knowledge and skills alone cannot lead humanity to a happy and dignified life. Humanity has every reason to place the proclaimers of high moral standards and values above the discoverers of objective truth. What humanity owes to personalities like Buddha, Moses, and Jesus ranks for me higher than all the achievements of the enquiring and constructive mind. What these blessed men have given us we must guard and try to keep alive with all our strength if humanity is not to lose its dignity, the security of its existence, and its joy in living. -- Albert Einstein > My [indefensible] impression is that altruistic culture is a strong part of the reason why the quality of biomedical researchers is so poor, and cancer research funding is so often near-fraudulent. Indefensible means you're not prepared to offer any elaboration at all? What's the line of reasoning here? Nevermind evidence, but you have to have more than just the claim. And what is fraudulent funding? If all people involved were "too altruistic", would anyone ever make sloppy research to grab funding, around a subject involving so much suffering?

musage 9y ago

"Research" doesn't want anything, and if that guy wants that, he should make a good case for it. Personally, I find this has the priorities much more in line: > Our time is distinguished by wonderful achievements in the fields of scientific understanding and the technical application of those insights. Who would not be cheered by this? But let us not forget that human knowledge and skills alone cannot lead humanity to a happy and dignified life. Humanity has every reason to place the proclaimers of high moral standards and values above the discoverers of objective truth. What humanity owes to personalities like Buddha, Moses, and Jesus ranks for me higher than all the achievements of the enquiring and constructive mind. What these blessed men have given us we must guard and try to keep alive with all our strength if humanity is not to lose its dignity, the security of its existence, and its joy in living. -- Albert Einstein > My [indefensible] impression is that altruistic culture is a strong part of the reason why the quality of biomedical researchers is so poor, and cancer research funding is so often near-fraudulent. Indefensible means you're not prepared to offer any elaboration at all? What's the line of reasoning here? Nevermind evidence, but you have to have more than just the claim. And what is fraudulent funding? If all people involved were "too altruistic", would anyone ever make sloppy research to grab funding, around a subject involving so much suffering?