THE CADRE,” was” APRIL 9;
[din rial
Science and the Bourgeois
Gary Webster's class on "Un- derdevelopment" has become a source for some interesting V editorials lately. The recent class is no exception. Con- cerning the Irish Moss indus- try on PrinCe Edward Island, Gary had four very interesting peeple in to talk with us; they were: Dr. Rigney, Chemis- try; Dr. Hanic, Biology; Wil- son Shea, Moss Plant Mgr.; and W.B. McLellan, retired farmer. ‘
The abovementioned scientists from UPEI did an analysis of the Irish Moss Plant itself: its structure, reproductive process, relationship to the enviornment (other plants, lobster terrain, etc.), all of which constituted a very impressive presentation. Science, in its ability to give witness to natural phen- omena, is always impressive.
But why was the Irish Moss Plant subjected to analysis in the first place? Mainly be- cause it possesses an import- ant element used for creating smooth texture in jams and pastes -- corrogenise, As a matter of factthe irish moss grown around Prince Edward Island, contains a greater amount ofvthis substance than anywhere else in the world. The plant has as much as 85% of this substance. Naturally, therefore, it has worldwide demand.-Due to the fact it is in such demand, but is not uni- versally grown and, where it is grown apart from Prince Edward Island, is of inferior quality, scientists single it out to study in the hope of growing it elsewhere of comparable quality so as not to rely on Prince Edward Island for their source. In other words, the question of eco- nomics comes to the fore in these countries who require it for whatever industry is dependent upon it.
This problem with which this article concerns itself is as follows: if it were not the case that the irish mess could contribute to a specific in? dustrial enterprise (and this assumption is feasible) wold it be subjected to study? If the profiteering enterprises could place a value upon it -- that is to say, if it were not seen to be profitable-- would they finance any study regarding it?If the irish moss had a human value, but not a capital value, would funds be forwarded to facilitate such a study?
What I am suggesting by such a question is that, in North American Capitalist Societies scientific endeavour is sue pported by, and is in the in- terests of, the leading, dom- inant class -- the Bourge01ser; by whom moreover, I mean the multi-national corporations; federal concerns as well as provincial: the institutions
1979 Page 2.
whetherxpolitical, social, legal or even religious. The suggestion further implies that scientific pursuit, in its endeavour to maintain & perpetuate that system which funds its activity, is science but for a few -- the few who sustain it.
The implied suggestion by this latter remark is that science is not free to be it- self; that is, to be pure, non-prejudicial and humanistic. (By "humanistis" is not to be mean; that scienc; concern
tse f directl w th act ng in the Interests of the people.
The fact that this question be raised at all implies what the author feels about it. It is implied, or no, an accu- sation against contemporary western science. The author is ignorant of scientific con- tent and cannot, unfortunately, articulate a responsible ans- wer; however, the questions are posed for those with more scientific articulative acumen and, hopefully, an aswer will be forthcoming from those in a position to do so.
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' letters to the Him
Dear Editor,
I would like to complain about the slackness of the SU office. Presently, any mem-’ ber of the Student Union is
free to inspect any documents,
particularly medical receipts from Zurich Insurance. Re-
cently there was an ambarrasing
occurence at the university cafeteria which, much to the discomfort of a female stua -dent, involved a member of the Senate announcing, in the presence of a large audience that Ms. X's receipt for'the pill'was awaiting her at the Student Union Office. Such indescretions are a constant source of discomfort for the female populus of the uniVer- sity. Why should we have to stand for this?
A Not so Innocent By-Stander
Dear "Arts and Leisure” I Editor of the Cadre: ‘ In the days of nude Greek
olympics, the hardened, ath-I letic human body, honed musc- les rippling with lithsomeness
and tone, may well have been a thing of beauty.
To try to claim the same for today's blubber-bottomed non-
beauty is lunacy. It is bad enough to share the scene with flab-jowled,
wheezy, corpulent, greasy, sq-
uint-eyed, hedonistic, flat- ulent, porcine, slow~witted
people when they are clothed.
To see them huffing about in
the nude would be completely demoralizing..
Gen. Eisenhower once gave his secret for remaining re- laxed at a speaking engagement. He imagined all the dignitar- ies in their underclothes. It explains the famous Eisenhower grin.
Until people learn to chuck'" their morning doughnut, orange flavour synthetic juice and that ilk for an active life filled by fresh air and staple foods, few will want to be seen in the nude.
As aye, Lucid Maude
Mr. Editors 1 It was indeed a great pleae sure to find my picture gracing the font page of last week's Cadre (dated April 2nd -- April Fool days are here again --). It was no sur- prise to find you espousing a 'liberal' typology modeled after another self-styled 'savior' of humanity --- may the souls of such men rest in peace! While there are eleven types of‘liberals', there are two types of rad- icals: Type I -— those who write good nonsense, and Type II -- those who write plain nonsense. In the pre- sent case, I definitely see scope for improvement:
Sincerely,
M.M. Rahman
Dept. of Psychology