Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind's Survival Vladimir Keilis Borok

 

Vladimir Keilis-Borok (1921-2013) was a

Russian mathematical geophysicist and seismologist. He

taught at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was

the research group leader of the International Institute for

Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics,

Russian Academy of Science.

He was also Co-director (and Founder) of the Research Programme on non-linear

dynamics and earthquake prediction of the Abdus Salam International Centre for

Theoretical Physics, Trieste.

In the essay 'Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s Survival', Keilis-Borok

says about his profession as a scientist, and views that science is the humankinds’

indispensable guardian and caretaker.

Reading

If you are so clever, why are you so poor? (Popular expression) Why is it that some

of us still decide to become scientists, despite the fact that businessmen, lawyers, and

doctors enjoy a much higher income? A famous Russian writer L. Tolstoy once wrote

that a writer is not merely a person who writes; a writer is a person who cannot live

without writing. The same, I believe, is true for a scientist. Science is an exciting

adventure where major reward comes from the discovery itself. What you get instead

of big money is freedom, camaraderie, independence. The honours and promotions

will depend on yourself more than in the other occupations. And you will have the

overwhelming feeling of uncovering yet another one of nature’s mysteries.

An instant understanding, the efficiency of thought and action, and a good feeling that

comes when the like-minded people work together. (F. Press)

It was 1960, the height of the cold war. I was in Moscow doing research on the theory

of seismic waves—tremors in the earth generated by an earthquake. I was absorbed

in my problem; I enjoyed the mathematical challenge. I did not give much thought to

how it connects with the real life.

The summons came from the President of the Russian (then Soviet) Academy of

Sciences. He had received a message from the Palace of Nations in Geneva, where

technical experts from the Soviet Union, United States, and United Kingdom—three

powers possessing nuclear weapons—met behind closed doors. The President showed

me a letter from Geneva: an American scientist, Frank Press, quoted my work while

arguing with Moscow experts. And, to my great surprise, I found myself in Geneva.

At that time every man, woman, and child on the Earth lived under the threat of

annihilation by nuclear weapon. Each superpower had more than enough nuclear

bombs to destroy the others in the first strike. But in the 20 minutes it took for the

rockets to reach their targets, the other side had plenty of time to launch retaliation

strikes ensuring the destruction of their enemies only a few minutes later. This threat of

‘Mutually Assured Destruction,’ with ominous acronym ‘MAD,’ was for some years

the only thin thread protecting all of us from the common fatal fate. Continuing nuclear

tests meant development of even stronger bombs, introducing even more imbalance

into the global nuclear standoff. The three nuclear powers were willing to come to an

agreement, putting a ban on the nuclear weapon test. And hence, the technical experts

were summoned to solve the problem that arose.

In formal terms, the problem was the following. Suppose that:(i) the nuclear powers

had signed agreement to stop the test of the new nuclear weapons, and (ii) one of the

participants had violated this agreement and secretly made an underground nuclear

explosion. The problem is: how can the other powers detect the violation?

It turned out that this problem had a direct connection with the theory of seismic

waves. Underground nuclear explosions produced earth tremors very similar to those

generated by earthquakes. How could one distinguish the natural tremors from the

282 English: Grade 11

ones produced by the explosion? Suddenly, my theoretical knowledge had a direct

application in the area of survival of the humankind.

In the atmosphere of the ongoing Cold War, with political tensions hanging over our

heads, scientists and engineers from the opposite sides of the Iron Curtain had to find

a solution, which outwardly seemed impossible, given all our differences in cultural

background. What saved us was a clear and obvious distinction. We were all scientists. We

were able to work out a common language, based on respect to hard evidence,

undisputable ranking by expertise only, and persistent self-criticism. We were able

to work out a solution that eventually allowed politicians to reach one of the most

important decisions of their times: nuclear test ban.

This episode taught me that as a scientist I have people all over the world who think and

interact the way I do. It taught me never to feel lonely abroad. And, above all, it taught me

that while there is science, there is hope of survival and well-being for all of us.

A common lore is that immersion in science does not go with practical sense.

It is true that on occasions a greatest mathematician of our time was so

involved in a current problem that he could leave home wearing shoes from

two different pairs. However, if you look carefully, you will find another side

to this, which makes scientists the most practical people in the world. All new

technologies, all new brands of industry from defence to entertainment stem

from fundamental research. Among past examples are antibiotics, electronics,

biotechnology, synthetic fibres, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis,

to name just a few. And now only the basic research could give us new sources of

energy; new mineral deposits; efficient defence from terrorism; cure from cancer;

new forms of transportation. People trained in theoretical physics are headhunted by

financial institutions; those trained in frontiers of biological research become founders

and directors in the pharmaceutical industry. So, knowledge of basic science will give

you a head start in whatever career you choose.

It is commonly recognised, that the very survival of our civilisation is threatened by

natural and man-made disasters. Among them are earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction

of megacities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises. Today, a

massive release of radioactivity from a nuclear waste disposal, an earthquake in the

middle of a megalopolis, an outburst of mass violence, or any other global disaster, can

cause up to a million of casualties, render large part of our world inhabitable, trigger

global economic depression, or a war in a “hot” region. Such dangers keep growing,

although trillions dollars a year are spent to contain them by all known techniques.

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The hope and the responsibility for breaking the stalemate rest not on the money

but on intellectual resources, though the money is more popular, according to the

French proverb: “Nobody is satisfied with his wealth, everybody is satisfied with his

wisdom.” Only the basic research can create a springboard for developing new disaster

preparedness industry.

Ours is the time of contest over issues not completely understood. (Mc George Bundy)

Scientific research is an exciting venture into the great unknown and the token of

humankind’s survival. It is the scientists with their tools that are up to the challenge

and can ensure that we all safely move with the time.

Finally, I have to remind you that the science is not the beginning and the end. More

important for the humankind and for each individual are the human qualities. However,

if humanly used, science is their indispensable guardian and caretaker.

NOTES

Iron Curtain: the name for the socio-political border that was believed to exist

between Western Europe and the communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe

L. Tolstoy: (Leo Tolstoy) a Russian writer, author of the novel War and Peace

Mc George Bundy: He was United States National Security Advisor to presidents

John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson.

Glossary

acronym (n.): a word made from the first letters of the name of any organisation, e.g.

MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

annihilation (n.): complete destruction

camaraderie (n.): a feeling of close friendship in a team overwhelming (adj.): a great

effect on you that you feel very happy; overpowering

cold war: intense economic, political, military, and ideological conflict between nations

forensic (adj.): of scientific method of finding out about a crime

indisputable (adj.): known to be true

lore (n.): information about a subject

ominous (adj.): making you feel that something bad is going to happen

retaliation (n.): counterattack, revenge

self-inflict (v.): to cause pain or problem for oneself

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stalemate (n.): a situation without an agreement or disagreement

standoff (n.): a situation in which one side counterbalances the other a standstill

venture (n.): anew risky activity

war mystery (n.): something that people do not know anything about it; an unknown

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What does a scientist get instead of big money?

A scientist gets of big money is freedom, camaraderie, independence, honours and promotions instead of big money.

b. What was the problem that the nuclear powers had faced?

This threat of Mutually Assured Destruction was the problem. So the nuclear powers had signed the agreement to stop the test of nuclear weapons. But, they had faced the problem that if anyone violated the agreement by secret underground testing of nuclear weapons, how would they detect that test. 

c. In which area did Keilis Borok's theoretical knowledge have a direct application?

The nuclear powers had signed the agreement to stop the test of nuclear weapons. But, they had faced the problem that if anyone violated the agreement by secret underground testing of nuclear weapons, how would they detect that test. 

d. What was the important decision that the politicians took before Geneva Summit?

 Before Geneva Summit, the politicians took an important decision of banning nuclear weapons' test. The decision was made with hope for the survival of humanity. According to them, after banning nuclear tests, there would be no competition for developing nuclear weapons.

e. What are the natural and man-made disasters as mentioned by the author?

 The natural disasters as mentioned by the author are earthquakes, a self-inflicted destruction of megacities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises whereas a massive release of radioactivity from nuclear waste disposal, an outburst of mass violence, war etc are man-made disasters.

Reference to the context

a. The professional addressed as ‘you’ in the sentence “If you are clever, why are

you so poor?” refers to a…

i. lawyer ii. doctor iii. scientist iv. businessman.

Justify your choice.

It refers to a scientist. Scientists are clever and brilliant by their minds. Their earnings are lesser than other professionals as lawyers, doctors and businessmen. But, they enjoy freedom, camaraderie and independence. The writer intends to show that although scientists are very wise, their wisdom does not generally help them in generating wealth. Thus, scientists are generally wise but not wealthy.

b. The writer says, “I found myself in Geneva.” What does it express?

It expresses the surprise of the writer. He was summoned all of a sudden to attend the meeting related to nuclear weapons in Geneva. His work was quoted by an American scientist Frank Press while arguing with Moscow experts.

c. Are the following statements true? Why or why not? Discuss with your partner.

i. Money is more powerful than intellectual resources.

No, this statement isn't right. Money is momentary whereas intellectual resources keep on providing fine results. There isn't any guarantee of money. Money creates a lot of problems. But, intellectual resources can lead anyone towards success and perfection. 

ii. Intellectual resources help survival of the mankind.

Yes, this statement is right. Intellectual resources are only hopes by the help of which mankind is secured. Due to intellectual resources, mankind has got relief from diseases, safety from terrorism, healthy life and entertainment. 

iii. Basic research is a way of stalling disasters.

 Yes, this statement is right. People in the world are living their life securely believing in scientific researches. Scientists keep on studying the ecological changes and alert mankind about possible dangers from disasters. Due to their research-based information, people are secured.

d. How does the essayist justify that scientific research is the humankind’s survival?

The essayist justifies that scientific research is humankind's survival by presenting his opinions in favour of science and its research-based inventions. According to him, science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind's survival. Scientific researches ensure humankind's survival. Science and its researches can only find the solutions related to the problems of humans' lives. It is the science that can give us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, medicines and efficient defence from terrorism.  Scientific researches can easily detect upcoming disasters and save humankind. It is the only science that can ensure that we are moving with time safely. Thus, the writer has umpteen reasons to conclude that scientific research is the hope of humankind's survival.

e. What can be the purpose of the essayist of using quotations in the essay?

The purpose of the essayist of using quotations in the essay can be the way to make all his readers clear about his main points which he wants to deliver. In his essay, the essayist keeps on using quotations of legends so that he can support his ideas.

f. Discuss and illustrate the writer’s stand that scientists are the most practical

people in the world.

The writer’s stand here in this essay is that scientists are the most practical people in the world. According to him, their practical life could be seen in new technologies, new brands of the industry from defence to entertainment. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, modes of transport, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis etc. This proves that scientists are the most practical people.

Reference beyond the text

a. Everyone lives under the fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons. Explain this

statement.

Here in this line, the essayist is informing all his readers about the critical situation of the cold war during 1960. The situation was quite terrifying. The superpowers nations as the Soviet Union, the United States and the United Kingdom had more than enough nuclear bombs to destroy the other nations in their first strike. Therefore, every man, woman, and child on the earth lived under the threat of annihilation by nuclear weapons. These superpowers were willing to come to an agreement to face this threat.

b. The essayist says ‘While there is science, there is hope of survival and wellbeing

for all of us.’ Explain it.

The essayist says ‘While there is science, there is the hope of survival and wellbeing for all of us. According to the essayist,  science is our indispensable guardian and caretaker because it is the only science that can ensure that we are moving with time safely. 

For the survival of humankind, countries had signed the treaty of not testing nuclear weapons secretly. But, science and its scientists ensured humankind's survival. It is the only science that can differentiate between the tremors caused by nuclear explosions and natural earthquakes. It is the science that can give us new sources of energy, new mineral deposits, and efficient defence from terrorism. The hope of science for the survival of mankind has larger significance also. In the present scenario the safety of mankind is threatened by both natural and man-made disasters. Be it a tsunami, be it terrorism, money alone cannot tackle the problem. Scientific solutions are the only hope. Thus, the writer has umpteen reasons to conclude that science is the hope of survival.

c. Is science a blessing or a curse? Write an essay on it.

Science is the search and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world following a systematic methodology based on evidence. Scientists experiment with various new things related to this world as well as life. Science can be regarded as both a blessing and a curse. The most important aspect of science is its application. Science has done various tasks for the welfare of mankind whereas it has even brought various negative impacts against mankind in this world. The scientists invent antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis etc. All these inventions have brought development in humans' lives. The basic knowledge of science always supports people in their lives. Due to science and its inventions, most people are dying out in the present time too. Different kinds of weapons are the outcomes of science itself. Science shouldn't be used against humanity. It should be used for the welfare of humanity. Thus, science should be used humanly without any bad intentions.