Quote:
Originally Posted by Karls48
Paul, can you please explain what makes scientist different from for example – politicians, bankers or car salesman?
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I'll give my opinion on that - greed basically, for power or money.
Of course not all scientists are alturistic either.
I'm in an association that consists largely of scientists and engineers. There are basically two groups - those that do science/engineering for the love of knowledge or because they believe that it is the right thing to do and they can help society - most of these people are involved in renewable energy, medical physics/engineering, astronomy etc. They typically earn $50 - 70K with post-grad qualifications and 10 years experience.
Then there are those that work in the mines as geologists, petrophysicists, geophysicists, mining engineers etc. They typically earn $50 - 70K straight out of uni with a BSc, and $150 - $250K with 10 years. (An unqualified hole-digger in WA gets $100 - $400K).
Many politicians, and most bankers and used-car salespeople are there for money or power. If they had to work for $20 an hour, they would'nt.
Many scientists (and many other types of people as well) are in it for what they can give. Many other people - bankers and car-salesman, are in it for what they can get.
Another comment on cold fusion via the Pons and Fleishmann method - if it worked how they said it would, they would be dead from the neutron radiation.