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From: abeles@mhuxm.UUCP (abeles)
Newsgroups: net.politics
Subject: Nuclear power "experts" are just trying to erase the Sputnik era
Message-ID: <270@mhuxm.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 14-Nov-84 00:46:36 EST
Article-I.D.: mhuxm.270
Posted: Wed Nov 14 00:46:36 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Nov-84 02:35:47 EST
References: <1133@drusd.UUCP> <2082@randvax.UUCP>, <328@whuxl.UUCP> <2092@randvax.UUCP> <344@whuxl.UUCP>
Organization: Bell Communications Research, Murray Hill, NJ
Lines: 33


Just one thing.  As a "real" (as opposed to social) scientist, and
especially as a "hard" (as opposed to life) scientist, I feel that
in the world today we are witnessing a general power struggle among
intellectuals over the issue of nuclear power and weapons.

As an example, take "Physicians for Social Responsibility."  The
name itself reeks of self-importance, as though Physicians are
more socially responsible than others (what a crock that is).  This
group goes around informing the public about the dangers of nuclear
weapons as though they were supposed to be safe!  In fact, I suspect one
of their hidden objectives is to present the message, "Remember those
physicists who almost as g-ds transformed the world into it's modern
form?  Guess what?  They're evil!  Physicians are the experts who you
should trust to tell you about the world of science."

What about the Jane Fondas of the world who want to tell you that they
are more aware of the scientific aspects of nuclear physics as they
relate to you than are those malevolent mad scientists?

Let's face facts.  For better or worse, the world is divided into
two classes of people:  those who understand the calculus, and those
who don't.  (If you are smirking at this, consider that we are all
expected to study English, history, etc. in school but you can graduate
summa cum laude from Princeton without understanding the chain rule.)
And those who don't understand it and therefore can't possibly 
comprehend the basic facts of physics don't like to be relegated
to the back seat especially in public policy issues.  If you don't
believe it, try arguing the need for a "science court" to adjudicate
matters of scientific fact with a law student.  No way are they going
to give up any of that political power!

--J. Abeles