The favourite saying of friars was “mea culpa”. Should scientists repeat that to themselves?
Looking at the planet of Polish science, you can see many large flashes. Just click on “Winners of the Polish discipline Foundation” and say with optimism.
However, I, being in the mediate of the planet of discipline for 45 years, believe that we have mostly wasted many talents through this time, lost many chances of developing super technology, did not even contact Nobel in science. We could be much richer and smarter if we could bet on research.
Of course, the biggest work for the misery of Polish discipline is the politicians who have ruled us for decades. But is it just?
Shouldn't scientists themselves hit each another in the chest and say "mea culpa, mea maxima culpa" quietly?
IMHO, YES. We should keep telling each another that.
We couldn't convince the public that we needed discipline very much. And if we have not convinced society, democratically elected Members are as they are. Which means having a lesson in the nose not to say more rudely.
We couldn't organize ourselves so bottom-up that we could do things useful for the payer who's backing our research.
Therefore, in the discussion on the embarrassing wage of experienced physicists at the Institute of PAN, we should besides consider our behaviour. possibly not only politicians are liable for specified a low wage proposed to this physicist, but besides us who created this Polish planet of science.
Michał Leszczyński
