My views are shaped by a) self-interest b) aesthetics. I don't want...
· Comment — Archer T. Ships replied to Lavender Graham's comment. · View on Facebook · Markdown source
My views are shaped by a) self-interest b) aesthetics. I don't want to live in a world where I'm frequently coerced to do things against my will. I also want to see scientific progress happen as fast as possible, so that the people I love (including myself) don't slowly degrade into a pile of demented meat. IMO, scientific progress happens most rapidly in societies that protect a) property rights b) individual rights. No one is willing to make long term investments in scientific research if they're starving to death. Scientific instruments and labs are expensive, and can only be supported atop a well-developed industrial, wealthy society. And science is slowed if hidebound elders / dominant market players are allowed to suppress competitors / new ideas via a police state.