[Fsf-friends] Science India editorial

[Arun M]

http://forum.gnu.org.in/1049371309/index_html

The Columbia Tragedy

The month of February started with a tragedy in the sky, a tragedy that
could have been averted , like most others, if human knowledge had been
more complete, or perhaps, if some individuals had taken more care.
Science India pays homage to the seven space travellers who lost their
lives as the space shuttle disintegrated high in the sky.We can add
their names to the seven others who died when another space shuttle, the
Challenger, blew up on the launch pad, or to thirteen others who died in
various accidents involving spacecraft. Let us remember the jundreds or
thousands of others, known and unknown, who had their lives prematurely
terminated in our quest for the kind of technology that makes it
possibel for us to go beyond the atmosphere. And a similar number of
people who helped build up the scientific knowledge base for the
development of technology. And, indirectly, the millions upon millions
who helped all of us lead a life dvoted to science and technology by
providing us the basic amenities of life. Let this remind us that
knoledge is a product of social activity, contributed by one and all,
and, as such, everyone is heir to all knowledge. Let this also remind us
that knowledge is to be used for social good, and not for personal
advancement. if the lives of the seven astronauts can remind us of this
fact, they would have achieved far more than what they went to space
for.