The Dilemmas of the Sciences
We have come to time in science where specialization has forgotten the big picture of solving problems. Institutions of government and higher learning have grown in parallel to this dilemma of not solving problems that are getting larger as the population of Planet Earth expands rapidly. University specialists receive funds from government specialists to lead graduate students to solve problems. They in return created more theoretical conclusions that got sidetracked from the original hypothesis’ that was supposed to solve the problem.
An essay in the mid 1970’s titled “Strong Inference” described this predicament at the beginning of the environmental movement where the solutions pointed to limiting human populations and increased regulations to stem to effects of humanity was having on itself. This movement needed scientific research to lead the way. Money flowed to universities to create science that would justify laws to protect both humans and the environment. Despite the new science of ecology that recognized the connectiveness of all life, the ability of the specialist to communicate conclusions to solve problems has been limited; they are happy with their roles as experts or argue the validity of their specific conclusions among themselves.
This is a critical time where there needs to be a big conceptual shift and bring our collective knowledge to solving big problems. There is an urgency to this as during this time when information through artificial intelligence and the internet is creating media podcast and announcements that is dividing the public into taking this information as truth or does not believe it at all. What we assume is reliable reporting is a media correspondent who has researched a hot topic in abstract and does not understand the details. At the same time legislatures also have used these same sources or misinformation to create laws or argue the validity of their colleague’s proposal … and as a result no significant of laws or regulations are being created in a timely manner to address problems.
How do we change this scenario in America? There maybe not be any solution before other tragic events like another pandemic, more hurricanes, and greater massive fires affecting more humans, communities, and ecosystems. Climate change will remain a remote concept until events like these affect one personally. The first step is to personally recognize what you can do in your own community and places that are dear to you. Do you have knowledge to understand the environment you live in? Can you gain knowledge and use it to make decisions that preserve or restore the natural environment that supports you in your community?
Look at this ecologically, which means making connections not only with your place in society and community, but in the natural world that gives you basic of life: food, water, shelter, and the air we breathe. Do not be complacent in your accustomed life style, care about all life around you in nature. Today, are these things around you being threatened by your actions? Think about tomorrow for your children and grandchildren. Do not expect science and scientists to solve the problems without changes in the public that recognize them.
One should be a staunch supporter of environmental and outdoor education. The fast pace and advancement of the digital economy take us away from nature; A nature that delivers services from clean air to on the ground recreational activities. We need a high connection to nature in upcoming generations to understand and support political actions for our own social welfare as well an environmental health. Science has did well to identify the natural world as a place for diversity and necessity to preserve it. We need the will of future generations to take action to preserve it.