The Large Hadron Collider of CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) is a literally pharaonic research project on behalf of (initially) particle physics. It is an “uncompromising experiment,” uncompromising in terms of its cost, and therefore the social resources it absorbs—obviously through the states, and without any social purpose control.
Any scientist who respects himself would argue that it is not possible to ask the (mythical) “society” about issues concerning scientific progress, research, experiments, and all the rest. Because the (mythical) “society” does not know, cannot judge. Essentially, these “societies” are only suitable for paying; without indiscreet questions, without objections, without purpose controls. Anything different (every self-respecting scientist would say) is a hindrance to scientific progress.
Yet even if, thanks to the discussion, one were to consider such an approach valid (and if not for other reasons, certainly because this “society” does not exist as a unified subject), the essential “mysticism” systematically cultivated by the scientists themselves cannot be hidden. On one hand, they need the economic resources they require, in the quantity they require them, and on the other hand, they do not have to account to anyone outside themselves. It is impossible to find anything liberating in this scheme.
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