Discover
/
Article

Public Support of Science: Searching for Harmony

JAN 01, 1994
Since the cold war ended, scientists and politicians seem increasingly at odds. Scientists need to address social concerns more squarely in their work.
Roland W. Schmitt

My subject is the rationale for public support of science in the post cold‐war era. The first question is, Whose rationale? Congressman George Brown’s or Senator Barbara Mikulski’s or President Bill Clinton’s or Phil Anderson’s or Leon Lederman’s? Everyone seems to be singing different tunes, and it is hard to hear any harmony in their voices. And yet with the profound changes in the forces that have driven our Federal science and technology policies, it is now more important than ever to find that harmony.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. G. Wise, Osiris 1, 229 (1985).

  2. 2. Congressman Boehlert, a leader in the opposition to the SSC, is a good personal friend, and I’m sure he won’t mind the literary license I’ve taken in this context.

More about the authors

Roland W. Schmitt, American Institute of Physics.

Related content
/
Article
The ability to communicate a key message clearly and concisely to a nonspecialized audience is a critical skill to develop at all educational levels.
/
Article
With strong magnetic fields and intense lasers or pulsed electric currents, physicists can reconstruct the conditions inside astrophysical objects and create nuclear-fusion reactors.
/
Article
A crude device for quantification shows how diverse aspects of distantly related organisms reflect the interplay of the same underlying physical factors.
/
Article
Events held around the world have recognized the past, present, and future of quantum science and technology.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1994_01.jpeg

Volume 47, Number 1

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.