dijous, de juny 23, 2011

...cross-fertilisation...

"There are also unexpected side effects from cross-fertilisation among fields. For example, incorporating mathematics in biology has a huge influence on how research is conducted. The more mathematics, the more thinking goes on before scientists hit the labs with experiments. And this means less experimenting. Not only does this lead to less resources being used- both environmental and animal-rights activists might like to change some of the focus of their picketing and protesting. Instead of being anti this or anti that, there's the option of being pro-mathematics. Lobbying governments to increase mathematics funding to save animals. That makes sense to me. And focusing on something positive always gives a better impression. There also the selling point that a cure for AIDS or cancer may pop out in the process."
"How much prouder could mathematicians be?"
Mathematics and Sex (2003)  -  Clio Cresswell
Popular Science - Allen  &  Unwin

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