Science and Hope of Survival

Keilis-Borok asks why clever people choose poorly paid science over business or law. Answer: research touches survival itself - not only salary.

Keilis-Borok asks why clever people choose poorly paid science over business or law. Answer: research touches survival itself - not only salary.

During the Cold War he researches seismic waves in Moscow. The Soviet president sends him to Geneva where USA, USSR, and UK negotiate a nuclear test ban.

During the Cold War he researches seismic waves in Moscow. The Soviet president sends him to Geneva where USA, USSR, and UK negotiate a nuclear test ban.

Underground nuclear tests shake earth like earthquakes. Politicians need scientists to tell bomb tremors from natural quakes - theory must serve peace.

Underground nuclear tests shake earth like earthquakes. Politicians need scientists to tell bomb tremors from natural quakes - theory must serve peace.

Rivals cooperate on hard evidence, respecting skill over ideology. Their unified method helps leaders sign the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963).

Rivals cooperate on hard evidence, respecting skill over ideology. Their unified method helps leaders sign the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1963).

Author lists antibiotics, green revolution, biotechnology, disaster prediction - basic research guards against disease, terror, climate, and earthquakes.

Author lists antibiotics, green revolution, biotechnology, disaster prediction - basic research guards against disease, terror, climate, and earthquakes.

Civilisation faces natural and man-made catastrophes; money alone cannot save us. Wisely used science is humanity's indispensable guardian - SSLC central idea.

Civilisation faces natural and man-made catastrophes; money alone cannot save us. Wisely used science is humanity's indispensable guardian - SSLC central idea.