Competition
Response to the film And the Band Played On:
Competition can be the best and worst motivator for scientific research. It is a powerful force in igniting public support and funding for research. The space race during the Cold War is an example such a phenomenon. After the launching of sputnik in 1957, the United States fought the Soviets on the scientific battlefield. NASA was founded - we launched rockets, prioritized science in education and, in 1969, put a man on the moon.
However, competition between scientists working toward the same goals can have negative consequences. Often, as depicted in And the Band Played On, the outcome can be ugly. In fighting to identify and combat the AIDS virus, some of the scientists in the film lost sight of the true purpose of their research – to benefit the lives of the general public. Personal glory and selfishness go against the spirit of scientific research.
This post seems a little sad picture-less, so I'm adding a photo from last Thursday.
