I always felt that science and a scientist was pure persuit of knowledge where other "benifits" were just by products of the process.
Point to ponder about--- has such kind of thought bought about theories like ID in the scientifice domain? Surely it does "benifit" some people. Has science become business much like everything else?
The individual has slowly become part of a collective. "A single instrument is replaced by an orchestra, with each individual striving towards the same goal. Of course, in science, as in any respectable orchestra, there will always be a couple of virtuoso soloists". It is these that the Nobel, Lasker, Dan David, Fields and such prizes go to.
Such shifts in science policy by governments and international communities, has led to a new model — that science should ultimately serve society. Industry wants science to make money. Governments want science to enable development. Citizens want science to clean the air, the water and make life healthier, safer and enjoyable.
All of these are possible only through ideas — ideas that need to be thought of, that need to be tested, found working and then applied to achieve the ends. And ideas come from individuals; this cannot change. Therefore the individual scientist cannot be replaced. It is him that we need to make more and more of.
And a sure way to do so is through schools, colleges and universities. It is these that we need to sow, nourish and multiply.
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