They discussed several types of predictions that have, or are being studied. They included animal activity prior to earthquakes, and also some newer research being done on the forces within a fault-zone which actually results in the creation of electricity. This phenomenon is being studied by one scientist using mega-ton presses. He's largely funded the million dollar effort himself because of lack of interest in the general scientific community. As the program discussed his findings, it was obvious that what he said made good sense, was measurable and also being tracked. One small earthquake in California was preceded by a couple of weeks data indicating higher electrical charges in just the rock surrounding the area where the quake occurred.
Yet, the thrust of the program seemed to be driven by nay-sayers and frankly, liberal idiots. They had an agenda, which is typical of the liberal/progressive scientific world (remember global warming? Since the earth has been cooling for over a decade, they now force us to call it global climate change. It's not about the climate, it's about progressivism, or governmental control and secular humanism). One 'scientist' said, "We shouldn't be worrying about predicting earthquakes. We should quit buying guns and buy better cement." while a colleague stated, "Predicting earthquakes will cause more people to die as they stampede out of cities to escape a falling building that if not told about the earthquake, they would remain in the building and it wouldn't fall anyway because we know so much better how to build earthquake-proof buildings." They used Haiti as an example. It is obvious that many people died there because of the government's failures to build safe buildings. Government is their god, thus is able to provide everything necessary to protect us. Okay, I disagree; heartily.
They do not believe it is appropriate to waste money figuring out how to predict earthquakes, but rather just let people live through them because government can protect them. That is the ultimate display of "Government Will Take Care of You", or "Government as Mommy" and should raise the hackles of every liberty-minded person.
The first comment, about guns, shows a political agenda that isn't worth considering, other than to lament the poor fool's state of mind. The second comment, however, reminds me of the following poem:
A Fence or an Ambulance
[A poetic case for the value of prevention]
'Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, "Put a fence 'round the edge of the cliff,"
Some, "An ambulance down in the valley."
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighboring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
"For the cliff is all right, if you're careful," they said,
"And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn't the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they're stopping."
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: "It's a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they'd much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief," cried he,
"Come, neighbors and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley."
"Oh he's a fanatic," the others rejoined,
"Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He'd dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We'll support them forever.
Aren't we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?"
But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretense, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
"To rescue the fallen is good, but 'tis best
To prevent other people from falling."
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence 'round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
-- Joseph Malins (1895)
Mr. Malins puts it very well indeed. The scientists who apparently created the program for the science channel I was watching are the ones who would fight for an ambulance down in the valley. It's not a perfect fit, but I think you get the gist.
My thoughts became more concrete on this matter when I read the following 'Linux Fortune' from my own server:
Once, when the secrets of science were the jealously guarded property of a small priesthood, the common man had no hope of mastering their arcane complexities. Years of study in musty classrooms were prerequisite to obtaining even a dim, incoherent knowledge of science.
Today all that has changed: a dim, incoherent knowledge of science is available to anyone.
-- Tom Weller, "Science Made Stupid"
A Dim Incoherent Scientist is also available on your television, fighting for progressivism and government control. The colleges and universities, as temples of secular humanism, have been working tirelessly propounding the gospel of no-god, and their cultists are among us, spouting foolishness for a living.
I'm Karl
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