Having created a technological terror regime, those who present the
greatest threat are the people who built it, understand it, and can
dismantle or change it. For tyrants and terrorists, it's important to
make sure there are very few capable counter-forces, and that they are
fully under your control.
In 1976 Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime committed mass atrocities against
the entire educated population, setting that country back by
centuries. Similarly, Stalin's purges from about 1937 on focused on
eliminating engineers, scientists, and doctors.
Science is a threat to weak minds because, when all said and done
science is about truth. Those who are seizing power in the West now
loathe and detest truth. Truth has the potential to empower people.
I do not expect Trump/Musk regime to stop at public science. All
those private companies who thik they are going to be 'winners' have a
very rude shock coming. Any capable, educated minds left will be
pivotal to the survival of democracy in coming years.
In 1976 Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime committed mass atrocities against the entire educated population, setting that country back by centuries. Similarly, Stalin's purges from about 1937 on focused on eliminating engineers, scientists, and doctors.
Science is a threat to weak minds because, when all said and done science is about truth. Those who are seizing power in the West now loathe and detest truth. Truth has the potential to empower people.
I do not expect Trump/Musk regime to stop at public science. All those private companies who thik they are going to be 'winners' have a very rude shock coming. Any capable, educated minds left will be pivotal to the survival of democracy in coming years.