From ALLISON COOK
Wolpert’s wish that ‘science can be seen as exciting and fun’ for everyone
is a common one amongst those who already appreciate the thrill of science
and are labelled ‘spods’ or worse by their non-scientific peers. However,
this implication that the nonscientific component of society makes up a
disadvantaged underclass would not appeal to those friends of mine who,
although having no scientific training beyond a long-forgotten O-level grade,
play a full part in this technological society via equally intellectual
pursuits (some of which I find very dry indeed). Does nonscientific mean
nonintellectual? Scientific snobbery serves only to distance those whose
talents and interests lie elsewhere.
We will never live in a society of scientists. Thankfully different
people have different interests and skills to contribute to a balanced community.
An increased understanding of general science is desirable, as is an increased
understanding of social humanitarian topics, to avoid our culture becoming
even more anti-intellectual than it already is. In short, I would modify
Wolpert’s wish: I would wish that education be seen as exciting and fun.
Allison Cook Birmingham
