Quote Originally Posted by Gawyane View Post
You're right. But when those same scientists are yelling and screaming that if something isn't done the world as we know it will end, it's scientifically prudent to stop doing the refined research for a bit and start trying to solve the immediate problem.

But then again, science and common sense rarely ever mix.
That could be, or it could be that the press has grossly exaggerated scientific commentary. Have you ever heard a scientist yell or scream about anything? Classic introverts. And come on, what are the chances I'm actually right about something? Slim to none.
Quote Originally Posted by Jeril
There is also nothing that says they all have to stop doing the refined research either, but most likely should and instead focus their energy and our money on other things.
This is my second point, though. A 50 year old climatologist is going to study the climate, in the same way a 50 year old mechanic is going to mechanize. Changing focus means changing career, and in scientific fields that's just not plausible. It would be like asking a 30 year old basketball player to try and play baseball after not doing so for 15 years, the overwhelming majority of basketball players can't pull that off. "Science" is just as broad a heading as "sports".

Now, what we spend our money on is obviously a different story.