Mmmm, so Chris is saying war does not determine who is right, war determines who is left.
I would argue that the Manhattan project introduced nuclear energy in a dramatic fashion. Fortunately the world settled for one short expendature of nukes, and decided that was sufficient, then began exploring the use of nuclear power for more beneficial applications. Without the Manhattan Project, would we have nuclear powerplants by now? We knew nuclear piles were possible by 1940, but would a program have actually been pursued, or would it just be a curious field of Physics study?
Dr. Bussard was definitely influenced by the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs ... they told a bright young kid that nuclear energy was real. He pursued a career in the field, made possible by the program born in the Manhattan Project. Thus, this forum is a product of it, for good or for bad.
"Silly Science" that paid off ...
We had the business of the world all to ourselves for about 20 years.My point was (as is the purpose of the thread) where was the *pay* off. What monetary/security/territory gains did the US make?
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Europe destroyed itself in 1914 to 1918. But it was well on its way quite some before then. Weird economic and social theories started the rot.
They almost got us here in the US. I do believe we will just get grazed by that bullet. Didn't quite dodge it. Probably all to the good. The pain will be remembered.
Engineering is the art of making what you want from what you can get at a profit.
I guess this is Par for the Course in a severe thread drift... so you attribute US economic success to the Manhattan Project.... hmmm....MSimon wrote:We had the business of the world all to ourselves for about 20 years.My point was (as is the purpose of the thread) where was the *pay* off. What monetary/security/territory gains did the US make?
It was a piece of the puzzle. It saved a million American men and probably 10 or 20 million Japanese.chrismb wrote:I guess this is Par for the Course in a severe thread drift... so you attribute US economic success to the Manhattan Project.... hmmm....MSimon wrote:We had the business of the world all to ourselves for about 20 years.My point was (as is the purpose of the thread) where was the *pay* off. What monetary/security/territory gains did the US make?
Engineering is the art of making what you want from what you can get at a profit.
That is the fastest topic drift I've seen. back to the question....
Not exactly what was called for but related...
Riduled Discoveres, Vindicated Mavericks
Cognitive Processes and the Suppression of Sound Scientific Ideas
[Edit] Additionally...
Genius Hall of Vindication
Not exactly what was called for but related...
Riduled Discoveres, Vindicated Mavericks
Cognitive Processes and the Suppression of Sound Scientific Ideas
[Edit] Additionally...
Genius Hall of Vindication
Last edited by BenTC on Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is.
Just so I make sure I understand the logic - American business has been dominant for 5 decades because it was the first to use the bomb.MSimon wrote: It was a piece of the puzzle. It saved a million American men and probably 10 or 20 million Japanese.
...and the Japanese economy has dominated all but the US because, presumably, it was the first to have the bomb used on it?....
...hmmmmmm...
I use words. To properly respond to them you have to read them ALL.chrismb wrote:Just so I make sure I understand the logic - American business has been dominant for 5 decades because it was the first to use the bomb.MSimon wrote: It was a piece of the puzzle. It saved a million American men and probably 10 or 20 million Japanese.
...and the Japanese economy has dominated all but the US because, presumably, it was the first to have the bomb used on it?....
...hmmmmmm... :wink:
The Bomb was a COMPONENT of American dominance of trade from 1945 to about 1965.
Those million men came back to America and did things. Those 20 million Japanese that did not die eventually did things.
Engineering is the art of making what you want from what you can get at a profit.
That's the kind of non-sense you get when you simplify irreducible systems. Puzzle was a key word in that post.
nm see above
Also, if we're blurring the lines and not considering Germany's and Japan's surrenders as the end of the war, then WWII itself wasn't a discrete event. So that we've changed or ignored the premise of the original question.
Silly science as per the OP... I can't think of any, but any instance of scientific serendipity would probably qualify.
nm see above
Also, if we're blurring the lines and not considering Germany's and Japan's surrenders as the end of the war, then WWII itself wasn't a discrete event. So that we've changed or ignored the premise of the original question.
Silly science as per the OP... I can't think of any, but any instance of scientific serendipity would probably qualify.
Re: "Silly Science" that paid off ...
Your premise is flawed.chrismb wrote:It is no more possible to win a war than it is to win an earthquake.EricF wrote:Seriously? We won the war big time, and guaranteed our position as a world superpower.chrismb wrote: What was the big pay-off?
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Sparks a memory of a comedy skit I saw at Uni long time ago - about American Economics:The Bomb was a COMPONENT of American dominance of trade from 1945 to about 1965.
America: Please buy our grain at this exhorbitant price?
Other country: ahhhh, don't think so!
America: We've got a big gun.
Other country: ahhh, d'ohkay!
(repeat, ad nauseam)
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is.
Winning
In my view, it comes from winning the cold war. The world always hated both superpowers, but the USSR was generally hated more, with them no longer the power they were, it's all on the US shoulders. The authorities in any situation are often blamed for everything, because it's easy, and in global terms the US is the biggest authority around. Good/Bad policy decisions really don't matter as much in overall opinion as many would hope, wish or believe, it's the power part.EricF wrote:Man, people love to pick on the USA, where does all this angst come from? We probably give more free food to the world than the next 5 countries combined.
Sometimes the US deserves it. Sometimes its tall poppy syndrome. Mostly its comedy.EricF wrote:Man, people love to pick on the USA, where does all this angst come from? We probably give more free food to the world than the next 5 countries combined.
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice there is.