Our Views: A warning from Asimov

Before his death in 1992, Isaac Asimov had written some 500 books of science or science fiction.

With a Ph.D. in chemistry, his thoughts on the state of American scientific research carried weight. Asimov's opinion of our national investment in science was sobering, and his views have a renewed profile with the recent release of a vintage TV interview on DVD.

As part of journalist Bill Moyers' "World of Ideas" series that debuted on public television in 1988, Asimov sat for an interview that touched on a number of topics, including Asimov's perspective on research spending.

The interview is back in circulation in "Bill Moyers: A World of Ideas: Writers," a four-DVD set recently released by Acorn Media.

Although Asimov was speaking nearly a quarter of a century ago, his assessment of America's prospects for continued dominance in scientific research was prescient.

Asimov worried that without sustained investment, the gap between America and its rivals in scientific advances would narrow.

That's exactly what's happened since Asimov's passing. As a newly invigorated China pours money into scientific research, cutbacks at the federal and state level mean dwindling research dollars here in the United States.
In light of recent events, Asimov's warning against U.S. complacency now rings truer than ever.

"I suppose the most damaging statement that the U.S. has ever been subjected to is the phrase ‘Yankee know-how,' " Asimov told Moyers. "You get the feeling, somehow, that Americans, just by the fact that they're Americans, are somehow smarter and more ingenious than other people, which is really not so. It causes you to rest on your laurels."

Ingenuity, Asimov countered, is not a national birthright. Asimov applauded political freedom and free enterprise as engines of American innovation, but he quickly added that this alone isn't enough to succeed in science unless we spend money on education and research.

That's a timely message as Louisiana cuts funding for higher education, and lab space at facilities such as LSU's Pennington Biomedical Research Center goes unused because of budget cuts.

Asimov probably wouldn't be surprised, but he surely would be disappointed.

Comments

1) Comment by Being_Stupid - 09/13/2011

The 3 Laws of Robotics clearly states the following: 1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.... 2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law... and 3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. My point being, China does not abide by the 3 Laws of Robotics, only robots do. Although in a communist country like China, most people are programmed like robots.

2) Comment by InPVille - 09/12/2011

Scrooge: Hah! When I outgrew Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Mom had a library full of SciFi Book Club selections and issues of Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine with Dr. Azimov's science related column in every issue. Lije Baley and R. Daneel Olivaw were among my favorites.

3) Comment by Scrooge - 09/12/2011

Mr. PVille, Thanks for helping to dispel the notion that conservative and intelligent are an oxymoron in Louisiana

4) Comment by InPVille - 09/12/2011

I believe Dr. Asimov would also have supported pure research as a worthy investment.

5) Comment by Scrooge - 09/12/2011

Chucky: Firstly, I think you mean "due to practical reality", otherwise your statement would be an incomplete comparison and it really doesn't make sense then. However, the point is that sometimes it takes sacrifice and investment to grow, as a matter of fact, from a free enterprise perspective it would be difficult to find businesses that started out without borrowing money. Most business have to continuously borrow money in order to keep doing business. The practical reality you speak of is, as DMJ says, "Penny-wise, pound-foolish" By the way, I read Isaac Asimov extensively as a kid and strongly believe he would disagree with you. The moon mission, ARPAnet, Manhattan project, etc. etc. were all visionary projects which paid dividends vastly greater than the expense.

6) Comment by DMJ - 09/12/2011

Penny-wise, pound-foolish....

7) Comment by Chucky - 09/12/2011

To add Cuts to funding do to practical reality does Asimov dishonor.