Scientist Blues

"I would rather be a carpenter than a scientist, and if it weren't for all the benefits that come with my position, I would not be here," Richard C. Lewontin '50, professor of Biology and Agassiz Professor of Zoology said to 25 students in the Freshman Union yesterday.

Criticizing scientists for emphasizing the academic rather than the practical uses of research, Lewontin said, "Anything which limits the absolute freedom of scientists to do as they please is good."

Ivory Tower

Scientists are more likely to work on academic problems than on finding cures for diseases which afflict thousands of people, he said.

"Smart people don't go into difficult applied practical problems because they won't be able to get the rewards for being smart," Lewontin added