More tradies
NOT long ago, our Prime Minister declared Australia should become the “innovative country”. Some years ago, another politician declared Australia should become the “clever country”. In the interim, funding for fundamental scientific research has been reduced in real terms and today’s mantra is that funding is to be directed to research of “relevance”, with organisations such as CSIRO having to find a large proportion of their funds from commercial work. Funding for fundamental research into biological and medical sciences now depends on direct applicability to medical treatment, and researchers who do not have access to working with clinicians are not being funded. Such is the attitude of the scientific illiterati who run our government.
Einstein invented a physics of no thenobvious practical application in 1905; Watson and Crick, who put the final touches to the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1952, were certainly not considering the financial applications of their work; development of the British Jodrell Bank radio telescope commenced in 1945 when a bankrupt Britain was on food rationing. None of this had obvious immediate commercial application, yet without these and other curiosity-driven scientific innovations, where would modern civilisation be now? The last 30 years of Australian politicians have proved our politicians cannot comprehend what drives cleverness and innovation. What drives cleverness and innovation is basic scientific curiosity, and basic scientific curiosity requires proper funding by government on behalf of the long-term economic interests of the Australian community.
Service without smile
READER Jan Dittmann is so correct regarding self-service at supermarkets ( cury, October 14). Do users realise what they are doing to secure unemployment for their children and grandchildren? Do users really believe these devices are installed for the consumers’ benefit, or is there some thought that they may have something to do with profit? There must be some reason people chose this method of purchase, and it is not always speed or convenience. I have actually observed queues at the self-service area when there have been cashiers ready to serve and give a smile. What next? JOSH Willie urges and applauds getting industry more involved in TAFE (Talking Point, October 14) and I totally agree, but not only at the board level but more importantly at the teaching coalface. If my experiences at Drysdale are any gauge, the biggest problem in imparting skills to students is the involvement of the teaching profession. We have teachers in our trade training centres rather than tradespeople. Get the tradespeople back on the floor.
Open door
DANNY Sutton looks for a leg up for youth (Talking Point, October 16), but doesn’t approach the root cause of the boots that kick them down, leaving too many in poverty, where some turn to A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website.
Credit where it’s due
HOW hard is English? Consider the pronunciation of tsunami, psychology and cicada, and how difficult it must be for those taking on English as a tsecond, ssecond, ciecond, make that second language. One language is tough enough, but when you have to learn 2 (as in to, too, make that two), then those who learn English as their second language deserve all the respect those who don’t have to can give.
The wobbles
JUST maybe those doing the wibbly-wobbles on the bikes are policemen, politicians, councillors and everyone who would like to go incognito refusing to register them.