Author - SftP Archives

Science vs. Ethics

Does an increase in scientific and technological knowledge have to result in the destruction of human lives and seemingly irreparable damage to the environment? The answer given by many seems to be "yes". We seem to be faced with the dilemma of having but two unpalatable alternatives: either dismantle modern...

Imperialism: The Common Enemy

With recent victories in Indochina and struggles for liberation around the world gaining strength and momentum, one can't help but look for a common element to link these struggles together. Imperialism is often recognized as an exploitative force in the Third World, but little is understood about the effects of...

Science Teaching: A Science and Society Course

I teach a Science and Society course at Somerville High School, a large working-class public school near Boston, where I have free reign over course content, but am constrained by an otherwise rigid structure, and the common problems of students who, because of the continual irrelevance of school to their lives, are...

AAA$ Actions 1975

Science for the People's approach to the AAAS meetings this year was considerably more restrained than in previous years. Preliminary planning emphasized visibility rather than confrontation and we organized to maintain a viable SftP presence rather than an active engagement with the AAAS hierarchy or the AAAS...

Corporate Connections of Notable Scientists

The statement on national energy policy signed by 32 leading scientists, which you ran so prominently in Monday's paper, needs to be sprinkled with a bit of salt before the public may digest it healthily. In reaching their chief conclusion — namely, that this country should go full ahead with the nuclear power program...

Biological Determinism as an Ideological Weapon

The struggle between those who possess social power and those who do not, between "freeman and slave, patrician and plebian, lord and serf, guildmaster and journeyman, in a word, oppressor and oppressed" is a war fought with many and varied weapons. Of highest importance are ideas, weapons in an ideological warfare by...

Review: The Energy Crisis and the REAL Crisis Behind It

Did someone say the "energy crisis" is over? The panic may have passed with the fall in gasoline prices from last year's high, but in the near future new price increases are likely to be announced. This will not be a particularly surprising turn of events to those who have a good grasp of what's happening in the...

Science and Technology in Brazil

On July 25, 1973, the Brazilian President General Medici approved the "Basic Plan for Scientific and Technological Development" for the period 1973/1974. According to the Minister of Planning, "the main task of the Plan (PBDCT) is to have modern science and technology serve Brazilian society, in its objectives of...

Concerning the Infanticide, Marie Farrar

Marie Farrar, born in April, No marks, a minor, rachitic, both parents dead, Allegedly, up to now without police record, Committed infanticide, it is said, As follows: in her second month, she says, With the aid of a barmaid she did her best To get rid of her child with two douches, Allegedly painful but without...

The Limits to Capitalist Growth

Contemporary Capitalism is clearly facing major problems. A cluster of interrelated crises — labeled with a variety of names: population and food, unemployment and inflation, development and investment, industrial production, energy and pollution — appear to threaten the survival of the human race, the standard of...