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The Glass Is Half Full for Some Scientists

[1.2.07]

• WWW.EDGE.ORG Jan. 1

Each year the Edge, a Web site that aims to bridge the gap between scientists and other thinkers, asks a question of major figures associated with the science world. This year's query: "What are you optimistic about? Why?"

Some respondents, such as biologist and entrepreneur J. Craig Venter, said he was hopeful science's empirical, evidence-based methods would be extended "to all aspects of modern society."

But some scientists clearly were hoping to limit expectations. Robert Trivers, a Rutgers University biologist, says the good news is "there is presently no chance that we could extinguish all of life -- the bacterial 'slimosphere' alone extends some 10 miles into the earth -- and as yet we can only make life truly miserable for the vast majority of people, not extinguish human life entirely."

The Glass Is Half Full for Some Scientists [1]

[2]

Related Content: 

WHAT ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC ABOUT? [3]

News From: 

The Wall Street Journal [4]
Read the full article → [4]
[ Tue. Jan. 2. 2007 ]

• WWW.EDGE.ORG Jan. 1

Each year the Edge, a Web site that aims to bridge the gap between scientists and other thinkers, asks a question of major figures associated with the science world. This year's query: "What are you optimistic about? Why?"

Some respondents, such as biologist and entrepreneur J. Craig Venter, said he was hopeful science's empirical, evidence-based methods would be extended "to all aspects of modern society."

But some scientists clearly were hoping to limit expectations. Robert Trivers [5], a Rutgers University biologist, says the good news is "there is presently no chance that we could extinguish all of life -- the bacterial 'slimosphere' alone extends some 10 miles into the earth -- and as yet we can only make life truly miserable for the vast majority of people, not extinguish human life entirely."

Links:
[1] https://www.edge.org/news/the-glass-is-half-full-for-some-scientists
[2] http://is.gd/pXJnK2
[3] https://www.edge.org/annual-question/what-are-you-optimistic-about
[4] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116778883382765515-search.html?KEYWORDS=the%20glass%20is%20half-full&COLLECTION=wsjie/6month
[5] http://edge.org/3rd_culture/bios/trivers.html