Crisis of communication

The impossibility of constructive dialogue with the authorities, the inability to convey by other methods their opinion so that it was heard and perceived that it can be calmly discussed at the table of negotiations with reasonable hope for reasonable agreements can be calm to the rallies of people. The demonstration is an attempt to shout when calm voices were not heard. However, demonstrations are an episode, and politics is a process. Leaving aside the question of the attitude of scientists to rallies, let's think about what prospects to influence the political process, to participate in it? And does scientists need it?

There was news that they plan to create a “batch of scientists” in Latvia. On the one hand, this may seem good news: the indifferent intellectuals decided to actively participate in the political life of the country. On the other hand, someone may think about whether then it is necessary to create parties of engineers, writers (separately-poets), artists, etc. Finally, we can ask yourself: is such an initiative from a good life? Does this mean that all the main political forces are not ready or do not want to sufficiently take into account the expert opinion of the country's intellectual elite? That is, the only way for scientists to influence significant processes in the country is not a dialogue with politicians, but the creation of their political power. There is no one to talk to.

As you know, "consent is the product with complete non -resistance of the parties." In a reasonable situation, this requires mutual respect. In the relationship of science and power, there may be problems with this. Two of the Republicans, who began the struggle in the United States for the right to participate in the presidential election, adhere to creationist views. Most of the others also have something to be surprised at their views on the results that are generally accepted in the scientific community. Is a dialogue based on mutual respect, between scientists and such a president, possible? Or, what do you think, with what respect does the President treat scientists who deprived the two largest universities in his country of the right to independently elect the rector? The President is smarter than two academic councils of huge universities at once? Scientists are not even. How to talk here?

But okay, presidents. Now science in the Russian government is supervised by Vladislav Surkov. Of course, Pushkin had to talk with Benckendorf, he “supervised” the poet in Nikolaev Russia. However, I express doubt that many of the scientists, having looked at the movement of “ours”, will respect the problems of science with the godfather of this organization. So, the dialogue cannot be successful. It makes no sense to try to talk.

Let's go down the step below. The director of TsNIIMASH Luna is about to fly away from the earth, “as Mercury from Venus,” and the earth's climate will become like the Venusian ... The head of the Roscosmos in a blue eye declares that, likely, the accident of many Russian satellites are associated with the malicious influence of the dark (for our devices) side of the Earth. What can be explained to this person about international projects and cooperation, if he is more in a phrase in a public interview more than all the falls and failures of satellites combined? By the way, Dmitry Rogozin will now oversee the problems with space, who has already gone to a conditional enemy in Brussels. Which of the superiors to the scientist about the study of space to talk with?

University rectors are often members of United Russia. That is, in accordance with the charter of the party, they are obliged to "fully promote the implementation of the party program." The goals of the party, in particular, are “the education of citizens ... the formation of their political will expressed by them in voting in the elections.” What is there to talk about?

Scientists, in addition to “persons close to the emperor”, “at the top” are not really heard, not very listened, and there is almost no one to turn to them. In addition to open letters, which many are already tired and which, apparently, rarely read, there are practically no ways for communication with power. Therefore, do not be surprised if one of the scientists goes to rallies, and someone does not go to the polls. There is no one to talk to.

Sergey Popov