Peace talk

The continuing overwhelming focus on weapons and military technology ignores history and prevents interdependence. The cell phone and Internet will likely do far more to ensure future peace than any gadgets developed at seemingly unlimited expense by scientists working on secret defense projects. The biggest contributions that the scientific community can make for world peace are to encourage young scientists and engineers to shun military work; to focus on the challenges in energy, civilian communication, and the environment; and to promote leaders who recognize these priorities.

Eric W. McFarland
U. of California, Santa Barbara
from Physics Today (July 2001)