NOT PESSIMISTIC

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 100, 25 October 1933, Page 7

NOT PESSIMISTIC

MACHINE VERSUS MAN

SCIENTIST LOOKS AHEAD

THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, September 7. Sir P. Gowland Hopkins, in his presidential •' address to the- British Association at Leicester, replied to the rather | pessimistic views expressed by last year's president, Sir Alfred Ewing.. Whereas Sir Alfred had seen in the pageant of discovery and invention the growth :of: unemployment and future tragedy, Sir. Gowland claimed that applied science should bear no blame for the parados p£ poverty amid plenty. *'It is surely right," he said, "that the: replacement of human labour by machines ,should go on." In his picture of the future Sir Gowland included: The imposition of a new structure upon society as the result of scientific discovery and the replacement of human labour by machines; the usefulness of a new form of "House" recruited from ;the best intellects of the country, including those of science, with its chief aim the discussion of long-range problems affecting the national welfare; the combined and assured gifts of health, plenty, and leisure " Applied science should take no blame for tho paradox of poverty amid plenty," Sir Gowland said, "bnt, indeed, claim credit unfairly lost. "I see more present danger in the iease of 'Money versus Man' than danger, present or future, in that of "Machine versus Man/ "With regard to the latter, it is surely right that those in touch with scienoo should insist that the replacement of human labour by machines should1 continue. "Those' ;who doubt -this," Sir Gowland continued, "cannot realise tho meaning of that positive acceleration in science, pure and applied, which now continues. No ono can say what kind of equilibrium, the distribution of leisure is likely to reach. In any case, Bn optimistic view as to the probable effects of its increase may bo justified. REAL LEISURE. "If need not involve a revolutionary lehange if there is real planning for the future. But-1 think few men of affairs believe, what is yet probable, that the replacement we are thinking of will impose a new structure on eoeiety. • "This may well differ in some essentials from any of those alternative social form's of which tho very names now raise antagonisms. I confess that if civilisation escapes its other perils I should, fear little the final reign of ,the machine." "We should not altogether forget," Bir G6wland emphasised; "the difference in use which can be made_ of real and ample leisure compared with that possible for very brief leisure associated with fatigue." Broadcasting, particularly in _ the light- of the increased opportunities offered by short-wave transmissions, Sir Gowland suggested, offered a ready means' of. continued education—not for -work but for leisure. Keeent events had, in. Ms view, shown that the community ;was, except for aminority, educable. Planning, Sir Gowland proceeded, (should be undertaken not merely in relation to current enterprises, but for future adjustment to social reconstructions. ■ .' ■ ■ ' . "There should bo a reservoir or synthesised clarified knowledge on ■which statesmen can draw," ho said. "The technique'which brings Governments in' rcontact'with scientific knowledge 13 still imperfect. HOUSE OP BEST INTELLECTS. "In so far as Bacon visualised in the 'Solomon's House' of New Atlantis an organisation of the best intellects bent on gathering knowledge •for future practical services, hia idea •was a great one. ■ . "When civilisation is in danger and JBociety in transition might there not be ;a'House recruited from the best intellects of the country with functions similiar to those of Bacon's fancy* It would be a house.devoid of polities; an intellectual exchange where thought ;would go ahead of immediate problems. "I believe, perhaps foolishly, that given time I might convince you that the functions of such a House, in such days as ours, might well be real, although I am well aware that in tho minds, of many I may by this bare suggestion lose' all reputation 'as a realist. ■ ; ''If political aspirations of the nations should grow sane," Sir Gowland concluded, "and the artificial economic problems of the wprld be solved, the combined and assured gifts of health, plenty and. leisure may prove to be the' final justification- of science. The individual, becoming more of an individual, will be less moved by those herd/ instincts, which are always the major danger to the world."