Quote:
Originally Posted by NigelT  I saw it too. Hmmm ! not sure about the conversation bit, but the concept that birds might sometimes sing for the hell of it might ring true.
When I watch gulls, crows and other large birds wheeling and diving around cliff tops without any apparant reason I feel that they are doing it for the enjoyment of it so why not song.
Oh. and I paint as well but don't think I am a nut case - well not COMPLETELY anyhow ! |
Not sure what
conversation bit you are writing about Nigel?!
Yes I'm a scientist, but have always veered towards the artistic side of science. The trouble with that is, the huge majority of scientists are deeply offended by this.
Like you, I draw and paint also, and unlike most scientists, I hope at least, I appreciate many ways of looking at one subject, which are certainly NOT scientific.
This attitude is becoming a disease amongst a big part of the
scientific community. A blinkered, beligerent view that science is king, and thats the end of the matter- this locks this wonderful subject into an intellectual closed clique of sorts.
There is no joy in it, no hope, no interest, no wonder - just dull, blinkered, intellectual arrogance.
Worse than all of this, it actually puts the next generation off getting involved and studying (what I consider anyway) to be the most fascinating, mysterious, beautiful subject of them all.
My girlfriend is a head of science at a local secondary school, and I hear year on year that more and more pupils are put off science by the 'geeks and nerds' (many writing books or appearing on television / media) who wish to keep science for themselves.
We will lose the ability (in future generations) to make fascinating new scientific discoveries if this continues - what an awful legacy our present generation of scientists will leave.
I put some of it down to jealousy. Scientists are governed by very stringent rules and procedures - whilst the artists have no such constraints.
Long live science, and long live art.
TBR.
(Blimey, that all just poured out of me this morning - I apologise, but its something I feel very passionate about).