Why we need the explorers | Brian Cox
TED・2 minutes read
Public spending for science, particularly curiosity-led science and exploration, is under threat due to challenging economic times. Despite the cost, investments in science have shown significant economic returns and led to groundbreaking discoveries that shape our understanding of the universe and the value of Earth.
Insights
- Public spending for science faces challenges in tough economic times, risking cuts to curiosity-driven research and exploration.
- Curiosity-led science has led to groundbreaking discoveries like the potential for life on moons like Enceladus and Europa, showcasing the importance of investing in fundamental research for technological advancements and profound insights into the universe.
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Recent questions
What is the potential impact of public spending on science?
Public spending on science can lead to significant economic returns, as seen in the Apollo program where every $1 spent resulted in $14 returned to the U.S. economy. Additionally, curiosity-driven science has led to groundbreaking discoveries like antibiotics and quantum theory, which have paved the way for technological advancements crucial to the modern economy.
How do serendipitous discoveries in science contribute to advancements?
Serendipitous discoveries in science, such as Alexander Fleming's invention of antibiotics, often lead to revolutionary advancements that were not initially intended. These unexpected breakthroughs can have a profound impact on society and drive progress in various fields, showcasing the importance of fostering curiosity-driven research.
What is the significance of liquid water on moons like Enceladus and Europa?
The discovery of liquid water beneath the surface of moons like Enceladus and Europa suggests the potential for life in our solar system. These findings highlight the importance of exploring these celestial bodies further to understand the conditions necessary for life beyond Earth, opening up new possibilities for scientific exploration and discovery.
How has curiosity-driven science influenced technological development?
Curiosity-driven science has played a crucial role in technological development, leading to the creation of quantum theory and subsequent technologies like transistors and silicon chips. These advancements have become integral to the modern economy, demonstrating the importance of investing in curiosity-led research to drive innovation and progress.
What insights can science provide about our place in the universe?
Science can reveal profound ideas about our place in the universe and the value of Earth, as demonstrated by images taken from space probes like Cassini and Voyager. These images emphasize the beauty and significance of our home planet, while also highlighting the need for exploration, discovery, and the preservation of Earth in the vast cosmos.
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Summary
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"Science Funding Threatened by Economic Challenges"
- Public spending for science, particularly curiosity-led science and exploration, is under threat due to challenging economic times.
- The U.K. government spends about 620 billion pounds annually, with the science budget being around 3.3 billion pounds, funding various fields including medical research, space exploration, and engineering.
- The discovery of liquid water beneath the surface of Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, suggests the potential for life in the solar system.
- Europa, a moon of Jupiter, is believed to have an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy surface, possibly containing more water than all Earth's oceans combined.
- The Apollo program, despite its cost, had a significant economic impact, with studies showing that for every $1 spent, $14 returned to the U.S. economy.
- Curiosity-driven science led to the development of quantum theory, which in turn enabled the creation of technologies like transistors and silicon chips, crucial to the modern economy.
- Quantum mechanics also predicted the existence of a limit on the mass of stars, leading to the discovery of Type Ia supernova explosions that contribute essential elements to the universe.
- Serendipitous discoveries in science, like Alexander Fleming's invention of antibiotics, often lead to revolutionary advancements that were not initially intended.
- Science can reveal profound ideas about our place in the universe and the value of Earth, as demonstrated by images of our planet taken from space probes like Cassini and Voyager.
- The Voyager spacecraft captured an iconic image of Earth from a distance of 750 million miles, emphasizing the beauty and significance of our home planet.
13:36
"Pale Blue Dot" image captures Earth's insignificance.
- The Voyager spacecraft, currently 10 billion miles from Earth, visited Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Carl Sagan suggested turning Voyager around to capture a picture of each planet it encountered, resulting in the iconic "Pale Blue Dot" image of Earth from four billion miles away.
- Carl Sagan's profound words about the Earth in the "Pale Blue Dot" image emphasize the insignificance of humanity in the vast universe, highlighting the importance of kindness, preservation, and cherishing our planet. The text also stresses the continuous need for exploration and discovery, rejecting the notion that humanity knows enough about the universe.
