Will the scientific elite enact a worldwide coup?

Most people would agree our current system of government and its politicians are not the solutions to real world problems facing the human race. Politics will always get in the way of real reform that is needed. Is it possible or likely for a worldwide cabal of scientist will rise up and seize power from the current power structure, for our own good?

No matter how you look at it one evil is always replaced by another.
Everyone is cannon fodder in a pointless conflict.

Hmmm... Lets see. Would I prefer the tyranny of politics, the tyranny of theology or the tyranny of science?

I'd almost have to go with the first two. Science has an evil side that really surpasses the others for sheer horror factor by the sheer level of inherent intelligence from that side. Smart mixed with morality rationalized out and then access to very expensive and dangerous toys in labs is never a happy thing with a good outcome.

reply to post by LDragonFire


No. The corporate paymasters have already done it, for profit, using the scientific elite. Apparently, the scientific elite are just toadies dancing for their dinner.

reply to post by LDragonFire


More likely it would just be some scientists holding the world hostage with some type of virus, chemical weapon, other devastating device.

Just like every other group of people, scientists are a very diverse demographic, and just as divided on many issues as any other.

So while I guess it's possible in a movie plot type of way, I think it's highly unlikely.

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


Political and theological tyrannies have kind of set the bar for horrors and atrocities. I doubt Governance based on science could be any worse than what has already been done by the other two.

I dunno...

Doesn't any "elite" individual or institution depend on the current paradigm staying in place and undisturbed to maintain such an identity? I mean... that's why they get that title "elite". When you depend on the status quo to maintain your reputation I don't think you want the floor under your feet being pulled out least you have no reputation to uphold anymore. A change of ages isn't all too kind to people or things that think they're "established".

Half the scientists in a field cannot agree with each other. The ones that bow down to big businesses and the ones in power seem to get more funding. Putting them in charge of anything is no good, their organizations will try to seize power also, arguing amongst themselves and cause chaos.

Getting a good and fair leader to run things would be the best solution. Where can you find someone who cannot be fooled and corrupted though. All the deceivers would stick together and war with this new government. Maybe we should just start over. Rewrite the script.

Isn't science already holding a sword over our heads with GMO foods, nuclear reactors and weapons and feeding our desire for more oil, gas , gold, lumber ,etc. ?

Media, education, politics, economics and religion all currently contribute to this system of control. I'd wager 'science' is as corrupt and deceitful as every other element.

My inside sources say it's just a matter of time. Right now, there seems to be infighting over how the coup is carried out. You see the physicists want to use lasers, but the biologists insist those lasers be attached to the heads of sharks.

No telling how long till a resolution and the mighty science coup.

I dont think it really matters who overthrows the current power elite.
Im pretty sure that once the revolution is over and time moves on, we will end up in exactly the same scenario again, once complacency and apathy sets back in. And the ignorance of the masses who have forgotten the price of freedom will easily be misled by those that think they know better about whats good for us all.

No, they won't.

Scientists today rely on governments and corporations for their funding. Most scientists are not wealthy through their own discoveries but rely on donations from others to pursue their agenda and others. To go against that would be like biting the hand that feeds them.

Read an article recently that says todays scientists do not collaborate but are enlists themselves and are competitive against others in their fields so as to be able to garner what little funds are available to them. It's a dog eat dog world out there and even for scientists since the early 1970's.

Willbert
No, they won't.

Scientists today rely on governments and corporations for their funding. Most scientists are not wealthy through their own discoveries but rely on donations from others to pursue their agenda and others. To go against that would be like biting the hand that feeds them.

Read an article recently that says todays scientists do not collaborate but are enlists themselves and are competitive against others in their fields so as to be able to garner what little funds are available to them. It's a dog eat dog world out there and even for scientists since the early 1970's.

Indeed, scientists are generally thinkers, not fighters.
They only compete against each other, for funding usually.

reply to post by LDragonFire


Geeks run a coup? Not likely! Scientists are bright people in the area of science. I think that enough said.

The power of conviction.

I think many are way off the mark when it comes to the scientific community. They are humans, and just because they haven't done anything like this in the past doesn't mean they wouldn't attempt something like this in the future. Fueled by there conviction possibly spurred on by the belief in global warming, they might feel like they are forced to act, for our own good. If they seize control they will fund themselves they wouldn't need to beg corporations or government for funding.

I can see a day of 100 coincidences. Four world leaders killed in plane "accidents" another 5 killed in car accidents, 15 others killed by apparent medical issues, another 10 killed by suicide, more killed by tripping down flights of stairs, others killed by ongoing natural disasters and a worldwide crisis at the same time, leaving the people to insist they step in and fill the void left in leadership. All by design, a ultimate conspiracy.

The power elite on Earth can't help themselves, they like to gather together in groups leaving them wide open for a attack, they could cripple the current power structure on this planet with very few physical attacks, they are scientists so they could blame the mushroom cloud on a meteorite or some other natural phenomena.

one could only wish scientific elite equated to morally elite, but i digress. to answer your question, i'm afraid no, they wont be. this is not to say there are not many elite scientists who have morals also, just not as a whole. we will need morally elite in every walk of life to fix our mess, but fix it we shall.

I don't think the Chinese would be happy with that, or the Russians, or the EU, the Arab states, south America, India, Australasia, unless the coup started in one of those counties, but the rest would still be rather unhappy.

Wrabbit2000
Hmmm... Lets see. Would I prefer the tyranny of politics, the tyranny of theology or the tyranny of science?

I'd almost have to go with the first two. Science has an evil side that really surpasses the others for sheer horror factor by the sheer level of inherent intelligence from that side. Smart mixed with morality rationalized out and then access to very expensive and dangerous toys in labs is never a happy thing with a good outcome.

So Carl Sagan would've been more dangerous than Stalin? Well, that is a bad example as Carol, er I mean Carl was a pompous a-hole!

Honestly no matter what type of establishment that was in power, the same power mad a-holes who would abuse one would abuse the other.

They'd bend the word of the lies, I mean religion, to control the masses, they'd force their will to exterminate their ememies if they were dictators or they'd use scientific means to do the same.

In the end, dying via being stoned, or being gassed in a concentration camp or being fried with a lazer is the same... death at the hands of a power mad nut.

Derek

reply to post by Viesczy


Ever watch the show Dark Matters?



Yeah, these are exactly the sort of people I want to rule over me. The sort of folks who think they are so smart that I'm nothing but a Guinea pig to use in their research if that's how they want to exploit me. And don't be tempted to think that because they have some degrees to their name that they'll be anymore enlightened in their rulership than any other kings you could have appointed over you. They're still humans and flawed for it like any of the rest of us.

The best system is one that leaves you free to decide for yourself.

reply to post by Viesczy

Honestly no matter what type of establishment that was in power, the same power mad a-holes who would abuse one would abuse the other.

Ouch... That's an awfully dark way of seeing human nature and society. History does show that losers are the rule over the exceptions of really great people in leadership, but history also shows the truly BAD are as much an exception as the truly good. The average is just run of the mill human incompetence mixed with liberal doses of greed and amazingly, pretty consistent it seems. Regardless of time period or regime type...those basic qualities seem a constant.

I'll keep trying for something better than average and much much better than the exceptionally BAD we've had over a decade of for world leadership and influence now. Science tho? That sure isn't something to look up to. Just a tool to use in understanding life, IMO.