Ten questions Science Must answer

Tracy Chevalier
How are we going to cope with the world's burgeoning population?

This is a really interesting one and a real problem as well, something I encounter a lot as I work in the field of environment and sustainability. It's not something that science or technology alone is able to address, but something that encompasses consumption, lifestyle and equality; three things that are currently all working in conflict, globally.

Resources such as raw materials, oil, food and, increasingly, water are already starting to feel the strain. With the population still growing and lifestyles in developing countries improving, it is rapidly becoming a major problem with not enough to go around.
 
vonhelmet said:
What happens if you put an aeroplane on a treadmill?
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An airplane's lift is generated by air flow relative to the wings. The speed of the aircraft relative to the runway is, in principle, irrelevant. In fact, let's put it this way: As long as the plane's wheels are free to roll, the conveyor belt can move either forwards or backwards, at any speed, but the engines will exert thrust and the aircraft will aquire airspeed, and will lift off regardless the belt.

:eek:
 
Emlyn_Dewar said:
Science doesn't need to answer this question.
Life doesn't require to have any meaning placed on it, things can just happen for no reason.
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Life doesn't require meaning to be placed on it but many humans do.

Science may not need to answer it but if it could, should it? I'm thinking along the lines of personal/religious belief conflict here.
 
Castiel said:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov/30/10-big-questions-science-must-answer

Interesting article in the Guardian asking people what they think is the most important question science needs to answer.

I am in agreement with many of then, especially Prof Brian Cox when he speaks about the need for everyone to approach things with a scientific rationale.

What do you think is the most important question Science should answer, it need not be from the article.

What is God? would be on my list, along with Why am I me and not you?
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would that not be - Genes and Nature/Nurture etc? you are who you are partly because of the genes you inherated(sp?) and from your experiences in life etc
 
Why do cats scratch at the door, desperate to go outside, then as soon as you open the door for them they turn around and go back inside?
 
Pixel said:
Why do cats scratch at the door, desperate to go outside, then as soon as you open the door for them they turn around and go back inside?
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Or why do they pick the one sole piece of clothing or work document to sit on?!
 
DiCe! said:
would that not be - Genes and Nature/Nurture etc? you are who you are partly because of the genes you inherated(sp?) and from your experiences in life etc
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Are my experiences responsible for my conciousness? It doesn't really explain why my particular conciousness is me and not you though does it.

As for a previous poster saying science isn't able to answer What is God, I disagree. What is God doesn't predispose gods existence, it asks what is the nature of God, be it a anthropomorpic personification or simply the universe itself.
 
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