Thursday, June 3, 2010

Brian Cox: Why We Need The Explorers | TED2010


Filmed Apr 2010; Posted Jun 2010 on TED
In tough economic times, our exploratory science programs -- from space probes to the LHC -- are first to suffer budget cuts. Brian Cox explains how curiosity-driven science pays for itself, powering innovation and a profound appreciation of our existence.

16 comments:

  1. I could listen to him lecture all day long.  Just inspiring.  

    ReplyDelete
  2. Most amazing part of every one of his lectures is that he's only 42.

    ReplyDelete
  3. And that he looks like 32 :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. What is with all the science videos?  This has nothing to do with atheism.  You should rename the blog science media blog. [/atheist purist]

    ReplyDelete
  5. Science tends to go hand in hand with atheismism issues, since it's the religious who are the most anti-science and the atheists typically the most pro-science.
    It's also typically true that the concept of the scientific method and general rationality and emphasis on truth being based on evidence is what makes more atheists atheist. Plus I never met an atheist who didn't think science was awesome and interesting (at the least).
    Sadly, these typical 'ties' are why so many stupid and/or tricky theists pretend that athieism is a 'religion' and we 'worship' science. 'Cuz they see everything through god-fogged glasses.

    ReplyDelete
  6. What is it with all these atheist purists? They should make their own blog and name it onlymediaspecificallyaboutatheistmandnotjustrelatedtoit.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. <span>What is it with all these atheist purists? They should make their own blog and name it onlymediaspecificallyaboutatheismandnotjustrelatedtoit.com</span>

    ReplyDelete
  8. To elaborate, to require a blog like atheistmedia only to be "about atheism" is akin to requiring nonstampcollector's only to discuss not collecting stamps.

    There is no field of atheism. Only the fancies of those who happen to be atheists.

    ReplyDelete
  9. If the political left were more focused on spending public funds on exploration and science and less on welfare programs and wealth redistribution, they'd get much more support from people like me.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Is this a parody of the asshole homophobics of late??

    ReplyDelete
  11. I call 'highly unliklely' on Andrew Clunn's comment. Does he imply he supports the 'right' because they currently support science more than the 'left'. That would be absurd and has never been true...ever.
    He could have a legitimate argument about the 'left's' spending, but to boil it all down to science spending vs. social security and tax cuts to even slightly RE-balance the wealth a tiny bit down to the stagnating middle class from the ever growing wealth of the ridiculously rich all seems wildly disengenuous to me.
    How does he not note spending on the military? Or ignore federal science R&D? Or anything about NASA?

    ReplyDelete
  12. A fair question.  Simple I oppose those things two.  As a Libertarian, I kind of don't really subscribe to the whole 'right' and 'left' as being two distinct and all encompasing options.  but it's not your fault for fallign into the trap of the false dichotomy.  By simply using the term left, I involked it.  I should have said Democrats instead of politcial left.  My mistake for using the wrong term there.

    ReplyDelete
  13. <span>A fair question.  Simple, I oppose those things too.  As a Libertarian, I kind of don't really subscribe to the whole 'right' and 'left' as being two distinct and all encompasing options.  But it's not your fault for fallign into the trap of the false dichotomy.  By simply using the term "political left", I involked it.  I should have said Democrats instead of politcial left.  My mistake for using the wrong term there.</span>

    ReplyDelete
  14. Though, now that you mention it, I could see how an argument coudl be made that military spending does lead to technological inovation.  I'm not saying I'd buy that argument, but a right-winger could at least attempt to make it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ah, it's always hilarious to see my fellow atheists believe in something as religious and ignorant as libertarianism.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Too obvious a troll baiting.  You need to be a little more subtle next time. ;)

    ReplyDelete