While I was walking in the sun the other day, I remembered what I learned in class earlier that afternoon about heat. The infra-red light from the sun was heating me up as I walked back to my cold house. I always thought that it was the UV rays that were heating me up, but I learned otherwise. I also thought that it was interesting that the larger the wavelength, the smaller the energy level. Normally, one would assume the opposite conditions. Also, I was intrigued by the fact that everything emits heat, even if an object is stationary. Normally, one would think of something as hot if one can feel the energy that it is emitting, but that is not necessarily true. Our bodies are constantly emitting heat in order to keep a steady temperature. As I am sitting here, freezing in my house, I wish that the heat was being transferred from the air and florescent lighting, to my body.
In response to Professor Walker's lecture on the Russian Revolution and our readings, it was interesting to learn that throughout the years, Russians became accepting of science and eventually became dependent on it, in order to increase its power in the world. I was intrigued to learn how divided Russia became in regards to scientific policy and the government. People were either against science because it would spur capitalism or people wanted scientists because it offered specialities, but unfortunately having scientists lead to distrust. Scientists were needed in order to create new innovations that would aid the prosperity of Russia. A country with a strong economy is a key factor in order to be a super power, and if the Russians knew that scientists could spur this growth in economy, why were they so opposed to the idea?
The idea of technocracy is puzzling, as Soviets according to the term, wanted to rule by scientific and technical elite, but at the same time believed that scientists were untrustworthy. There was no ideal situation as something had to give, but it was a matter of what was more important, advancing science or keeping the same political structure. Throughout the years, Russia formed many scholarly and political groups, as well as, instituted many policies, in order to solve this dichotomy.
Throughout the time, I believe that each individual was selfish and did not fully think about the benefits science would contribute to the country. The scientists should have been left alone to do their own thing, and advance the country as they please. Everyone's opinions of what should have been done only hindered the advancement of science. I agree with the Prolekult idea that everyone should be able to practice science, not only the elite, but sometimes the professionals are the only ones who will be able to advance the country. The Bolshevik ideology of controlling science, obstructed the advancement of science because they had to create for the state, and it was often hard to predict what the state needed in the future.
The idea of the Five Year Plan, was also problematic for scientists because they were unable to foresee the industry of the country down the road. They can't reasonably anticipate what the state will need, so the hard work that they expended into projects could have been useless. The scientists were also fearful that they would not perform up the expectations of the state. They were told that they had to expand, but were not given any guidance on how to do so. This left scientists in a bubble, with no guidelines, only expectations. Another point that I agree with is that the physicists were afraid that the new system of planning would constrain research, and they were unable to advance the state in other aspects. Scientists should be free to exercise their knowledge and creativity to whatever extent they please, but the government restraint under the Five Year Plan veered them off the creativity path.
Lastly, the Soviets wanted the scientists to create new products, but by cutting them off from communicating and collaborating with other scientists, it essentially defeated the purpose. They were unable to easily advance themselves because they couldn't get help from others. The whole point of "scientific nationalism" is to create products off of each other, and to throw around ideas until an idea is perfected. By cutting off Russian scientists, it was hard to advance their state industry, and ultimately advance their country's position in the world. The physicists were unable to take advantage of the international collaboration which dominated physics in the West. I don't blame the scientists who left Russia and never came back because they were able to freely expand their knowledge and not be oppressed by Stalin. All of the regulations of the government impeded the scientists' abilities to make Russia a prosperous nation.
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