Class 11 English Lesson 17: Scientific Research is a Kind of Humankind’s Survival by Vladimir Keilis-Borok

 

5 Essay: Scientific Research is a Kind of Humankind’s Survival

by Vladimir Keilis-Borok (p 280)

About the Essayist

The essay “Scientific Research is a Token of Humankind’s survival” was written by Russian mathematical geophysicist and seismologist Vladimir Keilis Borok. He presented the views related to how science is the indispensable guardian and caretaker of humankind when used positively in this essay.

 

Keilis Borok was a lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles. He was born on 31 July 1921 in Moscow and died on 19 October 2013 in California at age 92.

Gist of the Essay

In this essay, Vladimir Keilis-Borok emphasizes that scientific research is not just a quest for knowledge but a vital tool for humanity’s survival. He argues that science plays a key role in solving global challenges like natural disasters, diseases, hunger, war, and environmental issues. Scientific discoveries help us predict, prevent, and respond to crises that threaten human life.

Keilis-Borok highlights how science has benefited society in areas such as earthquake prediction, medical advances, and technological innovation. He insists that scientists must remain dedicated, curious, and responsible, working not for fame or money, but for the betterment of humankind.

Summary of the Essay

In this essay, the writer explains the popular expression, “If you are so clever, why are you so poor?” The best examples that relate, this expression are scientists and writers too. Scientists are the most clever people in the world, but they don`t earn as businessmen, lawyers, and doctors. But they enjoy more freedom than businessmen, lawyers, and doctors, and are also independent instead of earning more. The main achievement of the scientists is rewards and honours. Thus, the writers define science as “It is an exciting adventure where the major reward comes from the discovery itself.” 

The main occupation of scientists is to investigate new things and discover novel items. This isn`t possible by a single person. So, they work in a team and gain more knowledge from it. They create a loving type of bond between them, which makes them happier and freer, instead of earning more money. The writer was in Moscow doing his research on the theory of seismic. At that time, the Cold War was at its peak in 1960. At the time of the Cold War, the writer was invited by the president of the Russian Academy of Science. And also received a message from Geneva.

Moreover, he gets a great surprise because the technical experts of the three top nations USA, the USSR, and the UK, work together in it. The most shocking for him is; the president himself sent a letter to him. He knows all the details about nuclear weapons testing at that time. There was a great threat of nuclear weapons at that time to the survival of humans. So, the politician of three powerful nations bans the testing of nuclear weapons, which helps to prevent the invention of stronger bombs and weapons. In this work, the writer works as a decision-maker because he has good knowledge about seismic waves. His work is to find the difference between the seismic wave of the earthquake and artificial waves. Because the terrorists are involved in an underground nuclear test, which produces artificial waves.

However, the writer must find out such artificial waves and inform the government so that they can take action against such types of terrorist activity. Due to this, the chance of war decreases, and the life of humankind becomes safer. Science makes the life of human life in many aspects. Its invention makes our work easy and saves our time and energy. The use of science in a positive way makes humankind's survival less threatening than natural and man-made threats. By presenting such types of examples and statements, the writer proves that science is an indispensable guardian and caretaker.

Understanding the text

a.      What does a scientist get instead of big money?

A scientist gets freedom, honor, reward, and independence instead of big money. He gets these all due to their great discoveries.

b.     What was the problem that the nuclear powers faced?

The nuclear powers had agreed to a pause on nuclear weapons testing. However, they agreed that if anyone violated the agreement, they would not be able to detect it.

c.      In which area did Keilis Borok`s theoretical knowledge have a direct application?

As a seismologist, he had theoretical knowledge in seismic waves that could easily detect underground nuclear explosions as well as tremors produced by earthquakes. His knowledge could easily detect secret underground nuclear tests. Here, his knowledge had a direct application in the survival of humankind.

d.     What was the important decision that the politicians took before the Geneva Summit?

The important decision that the politicians took before the Geneva Summit was to ban nuclear weapons for the sake of the survival of humanity. According to them, after banning nuclear tests, there would be no competition for developing nuclear weapons.

e.      What are the natural and man-made disasters mentioned by the author?

The natural disasters mentioned by the author are earthquakes, self-inflicted destruction of mega-cities, environmental catastrophes, economic and social crises, and so on. The man-made disasters mentioned include a massive release of radioactivity from nuclear waste disposal, an outburst of mass violence, war, and so on.

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