Would you risk humanity?

fenderbender · 08-20-2011, 10:29 PM

Would you do something that had the possibility of completely fucking up humanity or killing many in the future?
Even though it might bring positive results early on, who knows what will happen later and there is a good chance of it being used for evil...?

Such as researching some crazy genetic/clone shit, researching some technology that has a good chance of being weaponized, creating drugs,

Say you discover a way to harness energy of a massive sort. Would you make public your discovery knowing that it will most likely be used to destroy/kill millions of people after being weaponized?

I wonder what Einstein would say?

Man in Black · 08-20-2011, 10:37 PM

I'd do my best to make sure that power was eradicated. kinda like the ring in lord of the rings n shit.

that kind of power corrupts.

Dr. ShinDig · 08-20-2011, 10:43 PM

didnt Einstien help to create the atom bomb?

Sir-Ex · 08-20-2011, 10:51 PM

I'd think hard upon the rationale behind my wanting to delve into such things.

If the intention is genuine, then fuck it. Humanity is nuts no matter what you do.

fenderbender · 08-20-2011, 10:53 PM

yes Dr shindig, that is why i am curious what he would say now after doing just that.

HTAM · 08-20-2011, 11:15 PM

Many great ideas have been corrupted for profit, greed, and destruction.

When it comes to the benefits versus the dangers, I don't think you should rob humanity as a whole based on the decisions to corrupt the idea by a few.

Sir-Ex · 08-20-2011, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenderbender

yes Dr shindig, that is why i am curious what he would say now after doing just that.

He regretted it greatly, as far as anyone can tell from the things he's said on the matter.

The Rev · 08-21-2011, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. ShinDig

didnt Einstien help to create the atom bomb?

Einstein was asked to participate in the Manhattan project and refused. His contributions to physics played a role, but it was a role created by other men, such as J. Robert Oppenheimer, who also felt incredible regret at what he had brought into being.

Ultimately, our destructive capability will reach a wide enough user base to result in our destruction as a species. And I don't think that any action, by any person, to avoid that end will succeed. It might delay the inevitable, but that's it.

The Rev

fenderbender · 08-21-2011, 01:43 AM

Do we really have the right to meddle with powers that can cost millions there lives or ultimately destroy us all?

Is the point of our existence to play such games? Is it possible to win?

Jewish Pork · 08-21-2011, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rev

Einstein was asked to participate in the Manhattan project and refused. His contributions to physics played a role, but it was a role created by other men, such as J. Robert Oppenheimer, who also felt incredible regret at what he had brought into being.

Ultimately, our destructive capability will reach a wide enough user base to result in our destruction as a species. And I don't think that any action, by any person, to avoid that end will succeed. It might delay the inevitable, but that's it.

The Rev

He really had nothing to offer on the Manhattan Project. Einstein was a theoretical physicist, not an engineer. However, he was somewhat kept in the loop and was asked to help look at some plans for tubes or some other shit (more as a token gesture than anything else).

He also signed the Einstein–Szilárd letter, which warned of the potential development of "extremely powerful bombs of a new type". It urged President Roosevelt to take steps to acquire stockpiles of uranium ore and accelerate the research of Enrico Fermi and others into nuclear chain reactions.

Mercury · 08-21-2011, 07:08 AM

You mean like what if you discovered a cure for cancer or some kind of pollution neutralizer? Of course I would share that shit.

Geeno · 08-21-2011, 07:38 AM

I already did and I regret it.

deadhead94 · 08-21-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewish Pork

He really had nothing to offer on the Manhattan Project. Einstein was a theoretical physicist, not an engineer.

Richard Feynman
Otto Frisch
Niels Bohr
Robert Oppenheimer
Hans Bethe
Enrico Fermi
Edward Teller

That is a quick list off the top of my head of the theoretical physicists that weren't engineers that were directly involved with the Manhattan Project.

deadhead94 · 08-21-2011, 08:16 AM

For the record, I would risk the entire planet to change history.

OldMan&TheWeed · 08-21-2011, 08:35 AM

The Industrial Revolution itself is Faustian bargain. It is hard to think of any technological advance that has not come at a price disproportionate to the payoff. From the contamination from nuclear energy to climate change wrot by the use of fossil fuels, few of our advances have not been a deal wit the devil.

I believe Ghandi said the the two most worthwhile inventions were the bicycle and the sewing machine. If you stop and think about it, it's had to argue.

deadhead94 · 08-21-2011, 08:43 AM

I'll take a fission reactor over a sewing machine.

stoneric · 08-21-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadhead94

Richard Feynman
Otto Frisch
Niels Bohr
Robert Oppenheimer
Hans Bethe
Enrico Fermi
Edward Teller

That is a quick list off the top of my head of the theoretical physicists that weren't engineers that were directly involved with the Manhattan Project.

Seriously? Off the top of your head?

Sir-Ex · 08-21-2011, 10:26 AM

lol shhhh it's funnier if you don't say anything! deadhead's been a source of constant hilarity for me during the past couple weeks.

And I would definitely take a sewing machine over a fission reactor. One of them, I gotsta find plutonium and uranium and shit and work on it all the time, just so I can get my bloody TV turning on. Sewing machine, I just park a woman in front of that, she makes blankets and sleeping bags, we get naked? Way better.

deadhead94 · 08-21-2011, 10:30 AM

how are you going to power the sewing machine?

Geeno · 08-21-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deadhead94

how are you going to power the sewing machine?

via bicycle pedals

08-20-2011, 10:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Man in Black willie d Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: dayton,ohio Posts: 4,817 Thanks: 3,200 Thanked 1,348 Times in 896 Posts	I'd do my best to make sure that power was eradicated. kinda like the ring in lord of the rings n shit. that kind of power corrupts. __________________ When I was arrested I was dressed in black.

08-20-2011, 10:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Dr. ShinDig seriously skewed Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 892 Thanks: 251 Thanked 232 Times in 168 Posts	didnt Einstien help to create the atom bomb? __________________ Putting the High in "High Quality"

08-20-2011, 10:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Sir-Ex Learner Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 11,416 Thanks: 1,726 Thanked 3,818 Times in 2,258 Posts	I'd think hard upon the rationale behind my wanting to delve into such things. If the intention is genuine, then fuck it. Humanity is nuts no matter what you do. __________________ Smile Ditch the cigs!!!!!!

08-21-2011, 08:35 AM	#15 (permalink)
OldMan&TheWeed been there done that Join Date: May 2006 Location: The West Posts: 2,281 Thanks: 294 Thanked 800 Times in 406 Posts	The Industrial Revolution itself is Faustian bargain. It is hard to think of any technological advance that has not come at a price disproportionate to the payoff. From the contamination from nuclear energy to climate change wrot by the use of fossil fuels, few of our advances have not been a deal wit the devil. I believe Ghandi said the the two most worthwhile inventions were the bicycle and the sewing machine. If you stop and think about it, it's had to argue. __________________ Nintey-three percent of what I say is brilliant, factual information and seven percent is complete bullshit. Have fun deciding which is which.

08-21-2011, 10:26 AM	#18 (permalink)
Sir-Ex Learner Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 11,416 Thanks: 1,726 Thanked 3,818 Times in 2,258 Posts	lol shhhh it's funnier if you don't say anything! deadhead's been a source of constant hilarity for me during the past couple weeks. And I would definitely take a sewing machine over a fission reactor. One of them, I gotsta find plutonium and uranium and shit and work on it all the time, just so I can get my bloody TV turning on. Sewing machine, I just park a woman in front of that, she makes blankets and sleeping bags, we get naked? Way better. __________________ Smile Ditch the cigs!!!!!!

08-20-2011, 11:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
HTAM Old School Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,872 Thanks: 2,368 Thanked 2,117 Times in 1,179 Posts	Many great ideas have been corrupted for profit, greed, and destruction. When it comes to the benefits versus the dangers, I don't think you should rob humanity as a whole based on the decisions to corrupt the idea by a few.

08-21-2011, 07:08 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mercury Special Delivery Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The States Posts: 8,150 Thanks: 294 Thanked 801 Times in 539 Posts	You mean like what if you discovered a cure for cancer or some kind of pollution neutralizer? Of course I would share that shit.

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