Scientific Research is the Token of Humankind's Survival by Vladimir Keilis - Borok ||Questions and Answers

 Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

a. What does a scientist get instead of big money?

Ans: According to Vladimir Keilis-Borok, a scientist gets freedom, friendship, and independence instead of big money. Freedom in the sense, he/she can explore the field of interest without worrying about the outcome. He/she gets to work with people who think the same way, forming a good companionship between them. It also provides independence because he/she does not have to depend on others to achieve something, rather can rely upon their own research work.

b. What was the problem that the nuclear powers had faced?

Ans: In 1960, the three nuclear power nations- the UK, the USA, and Russia had agreed beforehand to ban nuclear weapon tests. However, the problem was if one of the participants violated this agreement and secretly made an underground nuclear explosion, it was hard to detect by the others.

c. In which area did Keilis Borok's theoretical knowledge have a direct application?

Ans: Keilis Borok’s theoretical knowledge had a direct application to differentiate between the tremor produced by earthquake and the shock caused by nuclear weapon test. It is because Borok was a geophysicist and seismologist and his past research became useful in this area too. 

d. What was the important decision that the politicians took before the Geneva Summit?

Ans: The important decision that the politicians took before the Geneva Summit was to impose a sanction on nuclear weapon tests. However, this ban could not solve the problem because any of them could execute the tests in hideouts. Therefore, they called a conference of their scientists to solve this problem.

e. What are the natural and man-made disasters as mentioned by the author?

Ans: The natural disasters mentioned by the authors are: earthquakes and environmental catastrophes. Likewise he mentions economic and social crises, self-inflicted destruction of megacities, massive release of radioactivity from a nuclear waste disposal, and an outburst of mass violence as possible man-made disasters in the future.

 Reference to the context

a. The professional addressed as ‘you’ in the sentence “If you are clever, why are you so poor?” refers to a…

i. lawyer ii. doctor iii. scientist iv. businessman.

Justify your choice.

Ans: The professional addressed as ‘you’ in the sentence “If you are clever, why are you so poor?” refers to a scientist. It is because the author says that some people including him choose to be scientists rather than lawyers, doctors, and businesspersons. Scientists are clever people, but they do not choose to make big money over friendships, independence, and freedom because they worry about the betterment of humankind.

b. The writer says, “I found myself in Geneva.” What does it express?

Ans: The writer says that he found himself in Geneva. It suggests that it was a sudden and surprise visit to Geneva which he had never thought of. He was excited to be there to work for the thing that would favor the entire humankind.

c. Are the following statements true? Why or why not? Discuss with your partner.

i. Money is more powerful than intellectual resources.

Ans: I don’t think this statement is true because money itself is the result of human intellect. Money can be incredibly powerful in many ways. It can provide resources for research, development, and investment in new technologies and businesses. However, intellectual resources such as knowledge, creativity, and expertise, can also be incredibly powerful in their own right. These resources are the foundation of scientific and technological advancements, as well as artistic and cultural achievements. 

ii. Intellectual resources help survival of the mankind.

Ans: Yes, this statement is true because intellectual resources such as knowledge, creativity, and expertise can show a pathway to avoid possible natural and man made disasters.

iii. Basic research is a way of stalling disasters.

Ans: This statement is true. Basic research can discover the solution of any possible disasters; therefore, it can help to stall such disasters.

d. How does the essayist justify that scientific research is the token of humankind’s survival?

Ans: The essayist claims that the theoretical knowledge and findings developed by scientific research can be used for humankind’s survival. To justify this, he presents an incident from his own life. He says that in 1960, at the height of the cold war, he was invited to a secret conference of scientists to find the solution that could come up after the ban of nuclear weapon tests. There his theoretical knowledge in seismology came handy as that helped them to identify the tremors caused by earthquake or nuclear tests. It was the moment when his scientific research became a token for humankind’s survival. The essayist affirms that  it is the scientists with their tools that are up to the challenge and can ensure that we all safely move with the time.

e. What can be the purpose of the essayist of using quotations in the essay?

Ans: The essayist uses three quotations throughout the essay to validate and support his argument. Basically he argues that some people choose to be scientists over other high paying jobs to enjoy their personal freedom, working with like minded people and to ensure the safety of humankind. 

The first quotation is: If you are so clever, why are you so poor? This quotation is succeeded by a response that clever people actually choose other benefits than just money.

Second quotation is: An instant understanding, the efficiency of thought and action, and a good feeling that comes when the like-minded people work together. (F. Press) He valorizes the importance of good companionship which provides extreme pleasure of working for a common cause.

Third quotation is: Ours is the time of contest over issues not completely understood. (Mc George Bundy). Here, he portrays the debate regarding the advantages and disadvantages of scientific inventions and asserts that if humanly used, science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind.

f. Discuss and illustrate the writer’s stand that scientists are the most practical

people in the world.

Ans: The writer believes that scientists are the most practical people in the world because they are the ones who devote their lives for scientific research to solve human problems and make their life easy and comfortable. All new technologies, all new brands of industry from defence to entertainment originate from fundamental research. Antibiotics, electronics, biotechnology, synthetic fibres, the green revolution, and genetic forensic diagnosis are some examples of it. Therefore, he affirms that outside scientists may appear impractical but in reality they are the most practical people in the world.

 Reference beyond the text

a. Everyone lives under the fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons. Explain this statement.

Ans: The fear of annihilation by nuclear weapons exists in the devastating and destructive power of these weapons. These weapons have the ability to cause mass destruction on an unprecedented scale, with the potential to kill millions of people and cause long-term environmental and health consequences.

This fear is heightened by the fact that there are currently several countries in possession of nuclear weapons, including the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea. These countries have the ability to use nuclear weapons if they feel threatened or perceive a need to protect themselves, which has led to a constant state of tension and potential for conflict.

Moreover, the possibility of accidental or unintentional use of nuclear weapons is a real concern. Human error, technical malfunction, miscommunication, or even cyber attacks could potentially trigger a nuclear war or explosion. In addition, the possibility of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of terrorist groups or rogue states adds to the sense of insecurity and fear.

b. The essayist says ‘While there is science, there is hope of survival and wellbeing for all of us.’ Explain it.

Ans: Science has played a significant role in improving our quality of life and has been useful in healthcare, technology, and the understanding of the natural world. With scientific advancements, we have been able to develop life-saving medicines, improve crop yields, develop sustainable energy sources, and create new technologies that improve our daily lives.

Science also provides us with the knowledge and tools to mitigate and adapt to global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and environmental degradation. Scientific research helps us to understand the causes and effects of these challenges and develop effective strategies to address them. Therefore, while there is science, there is hope of survival and wellbeing for all of us.

c. Is science a blessing or a curse? Write an essay on it.

Ans:     

                        Scientific Advancements: Blessing or a Curse

Science is a field of knowledge that has changed the course of human history in a number of ways. It has provided us with groundbreaking innovations and discoveries that have revolutionized the way we live, communicate, and understand the world around us. However, it has also had its negative impacts, leading some to question whether science is a blessing or a curse.

On the one hand, science has given us access to previously unimaginable levels of knowledge and technology. From medical breakthroughs and space exploration to the development of renewable energy and modern transportation, science has helped us achieve incredible feats that have improved our quality of life and expanded our understanding of the universe.

On the other hand, science has also been used to create technologies that have had negative consequences for human society and the environment. For example, the development of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction has increased the likelihood of global conflict and posed a threat to the survival of our species. The widespread use of fossil fuels and other environmentally damaging technologies has led to climate change, pollution, and other ecological problems.

Moreover, some argue that the pursuit of scientific knowledge has resulted in a reductionist worldview that places too much emphasis on measurable data and empirical evidence, leading to a neglect of the subjective experiences and values that give meaning to human life.

In conclusion, the impact of science on human society is complex and it has both advantages and disadvantages. While it has brought about incredible advancements that have improved our lives in countless ways, it has also created problems that threaten our well-being and the survival of our planet. Ultimately, whether science is a blessing or a curse depends on how we choose to use it, and the responsibility lies with us to ensure that scientific knowledge is harnessed for the greater good.