Two books, published both in September 2022 The Stumbling Progress of 20th Century Science – How Crises and Great Minds Have Shaped Our Modern World The 70 years from…
Lars Jaeger
Author, Sciene blogger, Entrepreneur
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Yet another climate discussion at the WEF – the most important developments, however, are taking place elsewhere
Yet another climate discussion at the WEF – the most important developments, however, are taking place elsewhere Climate scientists have been warning about climate…
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What we can expect from 2023 – The continuation of the great technological trends
What we can expect from 2023 – The continuation of the great technological trends The year 2023 is a very special year – for…
What about nuclear fusion? – New press headlines again and again
What about nuclear fusion? – New press headlines again and again In the last few months we have been hearing more and more news…
Artificial meat from the lab – Update: Where are we, where are we going?
Artificial meat from the lab – Update: Where are we, where are we going? The last climate conference (the 27th, this time in Cairo)…
A melting that could dramatically accelerate the climate catastrophe – The Thwaites Glacier is dissolving in Antarctica
A melting that could dramatically accelerate the climate catastrophe – The Thwaites Glacier is dissolving in Antarctica Again and again there are climate effect…
The Stumbling Progress of 20th Century Science – How Crises and Great Minds Have Shaped Our Modern World
The Stumbling Progress of 20th Century Science – How Crises and Great Minds Have Shaped Our Modern World (Preface and afterword to Lars Jaeger’s…
Nobel Prize in Physics 2022 – For answering a question from very early quantum physics
Nobel Prize in Physics 2022 – For answering a question from very early quantum physics It has never happened before that the Nobel Prize…
Emmy Noether – Her rocky road to the top of world mathematics
Emmy Noether – Her rocky road to the top of world mathematics (Preface and afterword to Lars Jaeger’s new book about Emmy Noether; https://www.lovelybooks.de/autor/Lars-Jaeger/Emmy-Noether-Ihr-steiniger-Weg-an-die-Weltspitze-der-Mathematik-4828335597-w/)…
How are technologies driven in the future – Still by science joining capitalism?
How are technologies driven in the future – Still by science joining capitalism? In the 1950s and 1980s the famous quantum physicist Richard Feynman…
The next step in the development of artificial life
The next step in the development of artificial life When controversial genetic engineering pioneer Craig Venter announced in 2010 that he had created the…
On the long ignorance of politicians and economists – What led us to a deeper climate crisis than would have been possible
On the long ignorance of politicians and economists – What led us to a deeper climate crisis than would have been possible “If economists…
A second Fields Medal to a woman
A second Fields Medal to a woman The Fields Medal is awarded to recognize outstanding mathematical achievement for existing work and for the promise…
On the way to new space locations and the use of commercial opportunities there – A realistic vision of the future or a perspective that can hardly ever become reality?
On the way to new space locations and the use of commercial opportunities there – A realistic vision of the future or a perspective…
On the way to new fundamental theories in physics, or once again just the result of measurement inaccuracies?
On the way to new fundamental theories in physics, or once again just the result of measurement inaccuracies? The last big theory in particle…
Energy transition through war – How Russia could push Europe towards a climate-protective energy policy
Energy transition through war – How Russia could push Europe towards a climate-protective energy policy Russia under Putin has not only fallen far behind…
Russia’s “old” politics in a new world – Why the worst consequences of Putin’s attack will probably fall on the Russian side
Russia’s “old” politics in a new world – Why the worst consequences of Putin’s attack will probably fall on the Russian side Russia’s attack…
What is the latest story on nuclear fusion? – A look behind the latest noise in the press
What is the latest story on nuclear fusion? – A look behind the latest noise in the press In recent months, we have been…
What we can expect from 2022: What are the big technological trends?
What we can expect from 2022: What are the big technological trends? 2021 was another extraordinary year for the sciences and technologies. Unfortunately, the…
China on its way to becoming a technological superpower: Can a totalitarian society become a leading scientific nation?
China on its way to becoming a technological superpower: Can a totalitarian society become a leading scientific nation? In the early 17th century, one…
On the 26th UN Climate Conference in Glasgow – Quite modest progresses
On the 26th UN Climate Conference in Glasgow – Quite modest progresses The 26th UN Climate Change Conference 2021 in Glasgow, internationally known as…
A Populist Writer and Critic – How Intellectual Bogus Leader Richard D. Precht Misleads Us Once Again with Nonsensical Arguments, this Time on Corona
A Populist Writer and Critic – How Intellectual Bogus Leader Richard D. Precht Misleads Us Once Again with Nonsensical Arguments, this Time on Corona…
Capitalism in the face of climate policy – The disintegration of the old dogma that free markets controls everything optimally
Capitalism in the face of climate policy – The disintegration of the old dogma that free markets controls everything optimally Technological progress shapes our…
Ways Out of the Climate Catastrophe – Ingredients for a Sustainable Energy and Climate Policy
Ways Out of the Climate Catastrophe – Ingredients for a Sustainable Energy and Climate Policy (Almost) everyone has his or her own personal “aha”…
German environmental policy under Angela Merkel – Far too little considering the strength of it when she began her chancellorship
German environmental policy under Angela Merkel – Far too little considering the strength of it when she began her chancellorship Angela Merkel will soon…
Is the climate crisis perhaps coming much sooner and in a far more dramatic form than previously thought? – About the first part of the CMIP6 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Is the climate crisis perhaps coming much sooner and in a far more dramatic form than previously thought? – About the first part of…
One of the most important physics Nobel Prize winners in the field of theoretical particle physics passed away – An obituary for Steven Weinberg
One of the most important physics Nobel Prize winners in the field of theoretical particle physics passed away – An obituary for Steven Weinberg…
The floods in the summer of 2021 in Germany and Switzerland – Are these weather phenomena or already climate changes? The answer is quite clear.
The floods in the summer of 2021 in Germany and Switzerland – Are these weather phenomena or already climate changes? The answer is quite…
Quantum computers: Where do we stand with this possible next big revolution in information technology?
Quantum computers: Where do we stand with this possible next big revolution in information technology? A word that is becoming more and more popular,…
Food from the lab instead of the field – Where do we stand with meat from 3D printers?
Food from the lab instead of the field – Where do we stand with meat from 3D printers? Finally, CO2 emissions are at the…
Scientists opposing Corona measures – The Line between Healthy Scientific Scepticism and providing support to the absurd QAnon movement
Scientists opposing Corona measures – The Line between Healthy Scientific Scepticism and providing support to the absurd QAnon movement The core of the scientific…
When mind and power meet – Jürgen Habermas’ decision against the 225,000 Euro prize from Abu Dhabi
When mind and power meet – Jürgen Habermas’ decision against the 225,000 Euro prize from Abu Dhabi Jürgen Habermas originally wanted to accept a…
Biden’s new climate policy – Is the US back alongside the EU in global energy policy?
Biden’s new climate policy – Is the US back alongside the EU in global energy policy? The U.S. has recently declared itself a climate…
The tension between freedom and solidarity during the Corona Crisis – On the Structure of the best possible political decision-making in an Open Society
The tension between freedom and solidarity during the Corona Crisis – On the Structure of the best possible political decision-making in an Open Society…
Science facing Criticism, Esotericism and Occultism a High – The Fatal Logic of a Zeitgeist
Science facing Criticism, Esotericism and Occultism a High – The Fatal Logic of a Zeitgeist When it comes to deep knowledge or meaningful insights,…
A publicly too little acknowledged achievement of scientists and the chorus of public nagging
A publicly too little acknowledged achievement of scientists and the chorus of public nagging There is currently barely a more hotly debated topic in…
Cobbler, stick to your last – Applies also to scientists
Cobbler, stick to your last – Applies also to scientists There is much talk in blogs like this about the rehabilitation of scientists who…
High-Tech Speculation at the Expense of the Environment and the Rule of Law – The dirty greed for bitcoins
High-Tech Speculation at the Expense of the Environment and the Rule of Law – The dirty greed for bitcoins “A spectre is haunting the…
Will another promise of science soon become reality? – What is the status of the quantum computer?
Will another promise of science soon become reality? – What is the status of the quantum computer? A concept that strikes most people as…
What makes successful environmentally and socially sustainable companies: Disruptive technologies
What makes successful environmentally and socially sustainable companies: Disruptive technologies One of the most important societal debates of the present day deals with the…
What we can expect from 2021: The big technological trends continue
What we can expect from 2021: The big technological trends continue 2020 was also an extraordinary year for science. Like for most of us,…
A scientific tour de force in genetic engineering – From the Corona vaccine soon to the treatment of cancer?
A scientific tour de force in genetic engineering – From the Corona vaccine soon to the treatment of cancer? The Trump administration, large parts…
An old promise of physics – Are we moving closer towards controlled nuclear fusion?
An old promise of physics – Are we moving closer towards controlled nuclear fusion? From: L. Jaeger, An Old Promise of Physics – Are…
100% electricity from renewable energy sources within 10 years – The underestimated dynamics of exponential change
100% electricity from renewable energy sources within 10 years – The underestimated dynamics of exponential change In October 2020, more than 20 years after…
A discovery by chance with significant consequences – 125 years ago Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays
A discovery by chance with significant consequences – 125 years ago Conrad Röntgen discovered X-rays On November 8, 1895, the physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen…
The myth of the “invisible hand” – On ethics, decency and the governmental framework of the economy
The myth of the “invisible hand” – On ethics, decency and the governmental framework of the economy The Swiss pharmaceutical company Lonza is making…
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 goes to developers of the gene scissors CRISPR – for the most significant technological revolution of the 21st century in the field of bioengineering
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020 goes to developers of the gene scissors CRISPR – for the most significant technological revolution of the 21st century…
How we will eat – The future is vegetarian with meat from the laboratory
How we will eat – The future is vegetarian with meat from the laboratory Not only in Germany, the pioneer country of the “Energiewende”…
Key technology Artificial Intelligence – How AI and Big Data shape our society
Key technology Artificial Intelligence – How AI and Big Data shape our society Digital technologies are a prime example of the double-edged nature of…
Decisive moments of human thought – How the virtues of science developed
Decisive moments of human thought – How the virtues of science developed “The other peoples of this group, who have not cultivated the sciences,…
The origin of Corona, the cause of cancer, a Chinese instrument of power against the West – How dangerous is 5G?
The origin of Corona, the cause of cancer, a Chinese instrument of power against the West – How dangerous is 5G? Conspiracy theorists who…
The first technological application of quantum physics: When the atomic bomb hit 75 years ago
The first technological application of quantum physics: When the atomic bomb hit 75 years ago More than 100 years ago the totality of the…
Follow the money! – A literary addendum
Follow the money! – A literary addendum Once upon a time, people fetched water from a well and had to drag it home.…
Follow the money! – The fairy tale about the unaffordability of renewable energies
Follow the money! – The fairy tale about the unaffordability of renewable energies Tirelessly, some actors from business and politics invoke technological and…
“Yes, we can” – The «Energiewende» (energy transition) is taking shape
“Yes, we can” – The «Energiewende» (energy transition) is taking shape “Yes, We Can” was the slogan of young senator Barack Obama in the…
Why upon the inexplicable in nature we do not have to ask for a higher being (any longer)
Why upon the inexplicable in nature we do not have to ask for a higher being (any longer) The relatively simple structure of the…
The stone and Rosetta – A flair of moon landing
The stone and Rosetta – A flair of moon landing It does not happen too often that a scientific event makes it into the…
Dancing on a volcano – Extreme events can be quantitatively assessed and reliably judged upon
Dancing on a volcano – Extreme events can be quantitatively assessed and reliably judged upon Nuclear energy comes with residual risks that even the…
The amazing promises of science- nuclear fusion once again
The amazing promises of science- nuclear fusion once again A joke that almost every physicist no matter what age has known since the day of…
The same procedure as every year – a touch of Oscar night for scientists
It is the time again. Like every year in early fall the winners of the Nobel Prizes were announced this week. The physics,chemistry, and…
Beyond what quantum physics can explain
“Quantum Healing: Works immediately – everybody can learn it” – who has not yet been confronted with slogans like this? In particular, to those…
What the news papers do not tell us
Let us imagine, the football World Cup last summer would(if at all) had only found a brief mentioning on the very last pages in…
Victims of a pandemic, critic of scientific rationality – On the 100 year death anniversary of Max Weber
Victims of a pandemic, critic of scientific rationality – On the 100 year death anniversary of Max Weber In 1788 Friedrich Schiller wrote the…
John Forbes Nash – Death of a beautiful mind
John Forbes Nash – Death of a beautiful mind The mathematical and economics communities mourn the death of John Nash, for both one of…
Search for a non-human form of intelligence – From “SETI” to “Super-intelligence”
Search for a non-human form of intelligence – From “SETI” to “Super-intelligence” In the 80s, the science fiction novel “Contact” fascinated millions, and when…
Science and politics in the climate debate – Clash of two problem solving cultures
Science and politics in the climate debate – Clash of two problem solving cultures These days we read of yet another appeal by prominent…
Where opposites – hopefully – not quite collide as strongly any longer – From reductionism and holism to “contextualism”
Where opposites – hopefully – not quite collide as strongly any longer – From reductionism and holism to “contextualism” In discussions onthe theory and…
Future key technologies and the experts’concerns– On the evolutionary dynamics of the scientific-technological progress in the case of AI
Future key technologies and the experts’concerns– On the evolutionary dynamics of the scientific-technological progress in the case of AI When scientists feel inclined to…
Contradictions between the two great theoretical buildings of modern physics – On the phenomenology of black holes
Contradictions between the two great theoretical buildings of modern physics – On the phenomenology of black holes Of the many bizarre things theoretical physics…
Homo naledi – an entirely new perspective on human evolution?
Homo naledi – an entirely new perspective on human evolution? The term “Breaking News” will by now be widely familiar even to the non-English-speaking…
An upcoming technological revolution based on a 100-year old, but still not broadly understood physics – The second generation of quantum technologies
An upcoming technological revolution based on a 100-year old, but still not broadly understood physics – The second generation of quantum technologies 100 years…
The Mountains are in labor and bring forth a mouse – First results of the Blue Brain Project
The Mountains are in labor and bring forth a mouse – First results of the Blue Brain Project A few days ago one of…
The Mountains are in labor and bring forth a mouse – First results of the Blue Brain Project
The Mountains are in labor and bring forth a mouse – First results of the Blue Brain Project A few days ago one of…
100 years General Relativity – The theory that made Einstein a genius
100 years General Relativity – The theory that made Einstein a genius In Douglas Adams’ popular parody of intergalactic life “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to…
On the origins of the Enlightenment – Against the myth of the Christian Church
On the origins of the Enlightenment – Against the myth of the Christian Church “Clash of civilizations” – in various appearances does Samuel Huntington’s23…
The measurement of gravitational waves – the beginning of a new era in astrophysics
The measurement of gravitational waves – the beginning of a new era in astrophysics December 13th 1888 was an historic day which we barely…
CRISPR / Cas9 – Abiological revolution between almighty cure and nightmare
CRISPR / Cas9 – Abiological revolution between almighty cure and nightmare Even heralds of an ever accelerating scientific and technological progress are sometimes forced…
Discussion among economists –On the permanent underestimation of technological and scientific progress
Discussion among economists –On the permanent underestimation of technological and scientific progress Recent observers of discussions among economists have been able to notice a…
One seemingly small step for mankind, one giant leap for artificial intelligence – Computer beats the World Champion in the ancient game of Go
One seemingly small step for mankind, one giant leap for artificial intelligence – Computer beats the World Champion in the ancient game of Go…
“Creatio Ex Nihilo” – a modern-cosmological views on a millennia old philosophical problem
“Creatio Ex Nihilo” – a modern-cosmological views on a millennia old philosophical problem “In the beginning was the Word. Already I am stuck! And…
The lame walk again and we are becoming happier and happier – Onthe potential of modern neuro-technologies
The lame walk again and we are becoming happier and happier – On the potential of modern neuro-technologies In Mark 2: 1-12 (Mt 9:…
The end of Moore’s Law – What will drive progress now?
The end of Moore’s Law – What will drive progress now? It is considered a fundamental law and landmark of the digital revolution: Moore’s…
The origins of modern information technology – On the 100th birthday of Claude Shannon
The origins of modern information technology – On the 100th birthday of Claude Shannon One feature that is appreciated by only very few people,…
Quantum computers –The next revolution in the information technology of the 21st century?
Quantum computers –The next revolution in the information technology of the 21st century? A word that to most people sounds as scary and bizarre…
Genetics between almightiness and nightmare – CRISPR and the future of the human genome
Genetics between almightiness and nightmare – CRISPR and the future of the human genome “In the beginning was the Word. Thus it doth say!…
Georges Lemaître and the Big Bang – When a priest corrected Einstein’s worldview
Georges Lemaître and the Big Bang – When a priest corrected Einstein’s worldview The excitement was great when in February this year researchers at…
Science and Spirituality in the light of modern challenges – An essay for orientation
Science and Spirituality in the light of modern challenges – An essay for orientation Anyone who studies the natural sciences and its findings finds…
Alterations of our consciousness, avatars and virtual worlds – From manipulating our mind to changing our phenomenal self-perception
Alterations of our consciousness, avatars and virtual worlds – From manipulating our mind to changing our phenomenal self-perception For years, scientists as well as…
Science in the transformation of society, society in the transformation of science – Onthe demands and expectations on modern science
Science in the transformation of society, society in the transformation of science – On the demands and expectations on modern science “There is a…
Virtual reality and consciousness technologies- The new possibilities of brain-computer interfaces
Virtual reality and consciousness technologies- The new possibilities of brain-computer interfaces Not just since the new Pokémon craze or the Gamescom exhibition seems virtual…
A new era? – On the final recognition of human influence on the global climate
A new era? – On the final recognition of human influence on the global climate The “International Geological Congress”,which since 1878 takes place every…
The great disillusionment – So far nothing at the LHC except the standard model
The great disillusionment – So far nothing at the LHC except the standard model The joy among scientists was immense when the nuclear research…
Science and Spirituality –On differences and similarities
Science and Spirituality –On differences and similarities When it comes to deeper knowledge or insights, a successful life, or even wisdom, the natural sciences…
The eternal discussion about nuclear power – Old wine in new bottles
The eternal discussion about nuclear power – Old wine in new bottles It is becoming increasingly difficult to open upthe problems of science and…
A touch of Oscar-Night –The Nobel Prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine 2016
A touch of Oscar-Night –The Nobel Prizes for Physics, Chemistry, Medicine 2016 At the beginning of October it was that time of the year…
Politics and post-factualism – What Trump means to science
Politics and post-factualism – What Trump means to science If you are reading blogs like this one and are interested in the rich and…
Scientists as canaries in the coal mine – Turkey taking a fatal exit
Scientists as canaries in the coal mine – Turkey taking a fatal exit Anyone who devotes his life to scientific research and its achievements…
Beyond what quantum physics can explain
Beyond what quantum physics can explain “Secret Quantum Healing: Applying Quantum Physics to the practice of healing and self-healing”: This slogan is just one…
The Bayesian spirit – Science, spirituality and the shaping of our future
The Bayesian spirit – Science, spirituality and the shaping of our future The theoretical physicist Richard Feynman once stated: “Religion is a culture of…
Trump and science – A conflict of principles
Trump and science – A conflict of principles Last year the Pan-American Health Organization declared measles as officially eradicated on the American continent. It…
The dilemma of modern science – Much worldly power, little spiritual meaning
The dilemma of modern science – Much worldly power, little spiritual meaning In the eyes of many people in the second half of the…
A march for science – the scientific method itself enters the political arena
A march for science – the scientific method itself enters the political arena Our conventional idea of political demonstrations is that either the politically…
Symmetry and beauty –A bridge between science and art?
Symmetry and beauty –A bridge between science and art? A concept that moves scientists and artists alike and which seems to be suitable like…
New quantum leaps – The second generation of quantum technologies
New quantum leaps – The second generation of quantum technologies Still a hundred years after its formation quantum physics offers abundantgrounds for confusion among…
Symmetry breaks and asymmetries –yet another bridge between science and art?
Symmetry breaks and asymmetries –yet another bridge between science and art? In a recent article, the concept of “symmetry” has been suggested to serve…
A telescope as big as planet Earth –Will we soon be looking directly at a black hole?
A telescope as big as planet Earth –Will we soon be looking directly at a black hole? Of the many bizarre things that theoretical…
“Never Ending Stories” –On mutual structures in scientific and spiritual searching
“Never Ending Stories” –On mutual structures in scientific and spiritual searching One of the most interesting questions in both the natural sciences and philosophy…
The proximity of simplicity and chaos – On the essence of linear and non-linear dynamics
The proximity of simplicity and chaos – On the essence of linear and non-linear dynamics It is a nightmarefor pond owners: From one week…
200 years bicycle – On the democratization of a formerly upper-class vehicle
200 years bicycle – On the democratization of a formerly upper-class vehicle Almost every person knows a form of transportation, which can been learnt…
The battle for CRISPR – A technological revolution between the desire for scientific insight and capitalist utilization logics
The battle for CRISPR – A technological revolution between the desire for scientific insight and capitalist utilization logics Copyright battles for scientific discoveries are…
On mathematics and gender politics – Emmy Noether: Pioneer of abstract algebra and modern theoretical physics
On mathematics and gender politics – Emmy Noether: Pioneer of abstract algebra and modern theoretical physics Anyone who takes a closer look at the…
Mathematics and Gender Politics II – On the death of the mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani
Mathematics and Gender Politics II – On the death of the mathematician Maryam Mirzakhani Sometimes the timeliness of the own writing can surprise the…
Despite all the downplaying –US scientists cross a new threshold towards CRISPR babies
Despite all the downplaying –US scientists cross a new threshold towards CRISPR babies More than two years ago, in May 2015, the science journal…
Superpower Science – Who or what really shapes our technological future?
Superpower Science – Who or what really shapes our technological future? The current development in biotechnology (around the new gene-editing technology CRISPR) illustrates once…
Does Artificial Intelligence start wars? –Thoughts on Elon Musk
Does Artificial Intelligence start wars? –Thoughts on Elon Musk The billionaire and acclaimed tech visionary Elon Musk just expressed another dire warning about the…
A touch of Oscar night in the sciences – Commentary on the Nobel Prizes 2017
A touch of Oscar night in the sciences – Commentary on the Nobel Prizes 2017 It is the time of the year again. The…
Immortality – Will science declare victory over death?
Immortality – Will science declare victory over death? It lives in the Mediterranean, bears the name Turritopsis nutricula, and is not much more than…
“Origin” – Dan Brown’s latest thriller and the limits of naturalism
“Origin” – Dan Brown’s latest thriller and the limits of naturalism In his latest book Originthe popular American thriller authorDan Brown ventures once againfar…
A European scientist – On the 150th birthday of Marie Curie
A European scientist – On the 150th birthday of Marie Curie Right between the universally acclaimed 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the 28th…
50 years after the first heart transplantation–The dawn of a new age in medicine
50 years after the first heart transplantation–The dawn of a new age in medicine Around 5000 hearts are transplanted worldwideeach year. The procedure belongs…
The Beginning of the Atomic Age – the first controlled nuclear chain reaction 75 years ago
The Beginning of the Atomic Age – the first controlled nuclear chain reaction 75 years ago It was first shown to be possible in…
Beyond the bitcoin crash- What will be the lasting impact of crypto currencies and the blockchain technology?
Beyond the bitcoin crash- What will be the lasting impact of crypto currencies and the blockchain technology? A spectre is haunting the financial world.…
From Big Data to Big Brother –Do we finally loose the control of our data?
From Big Data to Big Brother –Do we finally loose the control of our data? In 1983 a single topic triggered the most intense…
Entanglement – From a bizarre and long misunderstood quantum phenomenon to a key technology of the 21st century
Entanglement – From a bizarre and long misunderstood quantum phenomenon to a key technology of the 21st century In 1981 the famous theoretical physicist…
The Quantum Computer – The Holy Grail of the Quantum Revolution 2.0
The Quantum Computer – The Holy Grail of the Quantum Revolution 2.0 Every year, the amount of data we humans produce doubles. That means,…
Fear of the future – How science and new technologies are threatening our collective psyche
Fear of the future – How science and new technologies are threatening our collective psyche A remarkable paradox shapes our time: The technological progress…
Science politics as a playground for party politics – On the new leadership of the German Ministry of Research
Science politics as a playground for party politics – On the new leadership of the German Ministry of Research The grand coalition will cometo…
Science and Ethics – On physics losing its innocence 70 years ago
Science and Ethics – On physics losing its innocence 70 years ago It is rare forphysiciststo pay a great deal of attention to an…
A real “game changer” – superconductivity at room temperature
A real “game changer” – superconductivity at room temperature In the recent x years, our world has changed more dramatically than in any other…
Stephen Hawking – On the death of a scientific pop star
The physicist community mourns the death of Stephen Hawking, one of its greatest minds. A life that began in the midst of the deepest…
Dressage of the democratic will – When computer algorithms determine the outcome of elections
Dressage of the democratic will – When computer algorithms determine the outcome of elections The mechanisms of popular attention and outrage are not always…
Canaries in the Mines of Democracy – On the status of science in Russia, Turkey, Hungary and Poland
Canaries in the Mines of Democracy – On the status of science in Russia, Turkey, Hungary and Poland Canaries used to play an important…
The Malthusian Trap – How an again and again refuted theory from over 200 years ago still haunts us
The Malthusian Trap – How an again and again refuted theory from over 200 years ago still haunts us Looking at today’s discussions about…
“The Tyranny of the Butterfly” – Frank Schätzing’s new novel and how Artificial Intelligence and other super technologies threaten our way of life
“The Tyranny of the Butterfly” – Frank Schätzing’s new novel and how Artificial Intelligence and other super technologies threaten our way of life Most…
Exiting the comfort zone of absolute certainties- From quantum physics to today’s political populism
Exiting the comfort zone of absolute certainties- From quantum physics to today’s political populism One may at times wonder whether Donald Trump does not…
Attack on the immune system of our democracy – How we are being digitally manipulated
Attack on the immune system of our democracy – How we are being digitally manipulated In 1983 there was a theme that moved all…
Towards global leadership in Artificial Intelligence – The view of the German government
Towards global leadership in Artificial Intelligence – The view of the German government Just over two years ago, the general public was surprised by…
The Second Quantum Revolution – From Entanglement to Quantum Computing and Other Super-Technologies
The Second Quantum Revolution – From Entanglement to Quantum Computing and Other Super-Technologies In Douglas Adams’ parody of intergalactic life The Hitchhiker’s Guide to…
Fantasies of technological omnipotence – The “Silicon Valley Dream”
Fantasies of technological omnipotence – The “Silicon Valley Dream” In the 1970s, biologists celebrated a major breakthrough: The discovery of so-called restriction enzymes enabled…
Eradication of entirespecies – What has become possible with Gene Drive and CRISPR
Eradication of entirespecies – What has become possible with Gene Drive and CRISPR The genetic modification of not only the characteristics of individuals, but…
Nobel Prize for Economics 2018 – The economic importance of technological innovation and the environment
Nobel Prize for Economics 2018 – The economic importance of technological innovation and the environment With the announcement of the winners of this year’s…
Attacking the liberal order and our democracy – When technologies are being abused by authoritarian states
Attacking the liberal order and our democracy – When technologies are being abused by authoritarian states Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg stresses at every opportunity…
The Woman Who Explained Nuclear Fission – On Lise Meitner’s 50th Death Anniversary
The Woman Who Explained Nuclear Fission – On Lise Meitner’s 50th Death Anniversary With Donna Stricklandin 2018 only for the third time a woman…
A forgotten female pioneer of quantum physics – The mathematician and philosopher Grete Hermann
A forgotten female pioneer of quantum physics – The mathematician and philosopher Grete Hermann Those who are more concerned with the development of quantum…
With artificial intelligence to the top of the world – the examples of China and Germany
With artificial intelligence to the top of the world – the examples of China and Germany The term “artificial intelligence” (AI) is more than…
It finally happened (probably)— the first CRISPR baby is here
It finally happened (probably)— the first CRISPR baby is here It had to happen at some point. You did not need to be a…
On the eco-ethical indifference of business leaders – The example of Glencore
On the eco-ethical indifference of business leaders – The example of Glencore At times, one has to study the newspaper very closely to learn…
Caught between enjoyment of prosperity and fear of the future – Some optimism at the beginning of 2019
Caught between enjoyment of prosperity and fear of the future – Some optimism at the beginning of 2019 Looking at the collective state of…
The discussion about shaping technological progress using the example of artificial intelligence – On the latest proposals of the EU Commission’s High Level Expert Group
The discussion about shaping technological progress using the example of artificial intelligence – On the latest proposals of the EU Commission’s High Level Expert…
Globalization 4.0 – The World Economic Forum between the discussion of our technological future and the increasingly unbearable vanity of a dull global financial elite
Globalization 4.0 – The World Economic Forum between the discussion of our technological future and the increasingly unbearable vanity of a dull global financial…
Protect science! – The lack of intellectual integrityexemplified by a recent public discussion in Germany
Protect science! – The lack of intellectual integrity exemplified by a recent public discussion in Germany The recent debate in Germany about the health…
Another eco-crisis – and nobody takes notice
Another eco-crisis – and nobody takes notice German car drivers have long noticed: the number of insects is decreasing. Compared to 20 years ago,…
The breakthrough in editing the human genome? – The emergence ofa new, even more powerful CRISPR tool
The breakthrough in editing the human genome? – The emergence ofa new, even more powerful CRISPR tool Unlike two years ago, today not many…
The emperor’s new clothes – Against the lies in the climate debate
The emperor’s new clothes – Against the lies in the climate debate The political and economic establishment is concerned. What climate researchers, environmental politicians…
Listen to the sound of science – On denials and the lack of intellectual integrity in the climate debate
They take place all over the world, mostly on Fridays, most recently also on the weekend in Switzerland: Climate strikes and climate demonstrations. They…
A path towards artificially produced life – From designer bacteria to designer humans?
A path towards artificially produced life – From designer bacteria to designer humans? Meanwhile, everyone is talking about the genetic scissors “CRISPR”: The news…
Re-Design of the human being – What are we: Molecular genetic machines or autonomous individuals?
Re-Design of the human being – What are we: Molecular genetic machines or autonomous individuals? Considering the groundbreaking developments in genetic engineering in recent…
After the crash is before the crash – On crypto currencies, blockchain and Facebook’s new currency Libra
After the crash is before the crash – On crypto currencies, blockchain and Facebook’s new currency Libra There is a ghost going around in…
The moon landing 50 years ago –The immense possibilities arising upon science and politics having a mutual vision
The moon landing 50 years ago –The immense possibilities arising upon science and politics having a mutual vision The landing of the first humans…
Yet again researchers bump into an ethical borderline: On the breeding a human-animal chimera for the purpose of creating substitute organs
Yet again researchers bump into an ethical borderline: On the breeding a human-animal chimera for the purpose of creating substitute organs The spectacular accounts…
The lame walk again and we are becoming happier and happier – On the potential of modern neuro-technologies
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Daring more future – How we all benefit from technical progress
Daring more future – How we all benefit from technical progress An amazing contradiction shapes our time. More and more people live a life…
Google’s new quantum computer – Are we experiencing a Sputnik moment in information technology?
Google’s new quantum computer – Are we experiencing a Sputnik moment in information technology? The quantum computer – a term that to most people…
Will another old promise of science soon become reality? – News from research on nuclear fusion
Will another old promise of science soon become reality? – News from research on nuclear fusion The “Fridays for Future” demonstrations are reaching new…
A highlight of 20th century’s science – The confirmation of Einstein’sGeneral Theory of Relativity 100 years ago
A highlight of 20th century’s science – The confirmation of Einstein’sGeneral Theory of Relativity 100 years ago Equipped with data and analyses, a team…
On intellectual integrity – The importance of social endorsement of the scientific method
On intellectual integrity – The importance of social endorsement of the scientific method I have written many times about the astonishing contradiction of our…
Intellectual Integrity II – The virtues of science in the fight against populist programs
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“Quantum Economics” – A commentary on Anders Indset’s new book
“Quantum Economics” – A commentary on Anders Indset’s new book “Quantum healing”, “quantum resonance”, ”quantum consciousness” – the list of expressions and promises that…
Climate and Weather – Can we now detect climate change in the daily weather?
Climate and Weather – Can we now detect climate change in the daily weather? The average temperatures on earth are rising. There must no…
Fake Science – New threats to the integrity of science
Fake Science – New threats to the integrity of science In September 1986, the East German biologist Jakob Segal, together with his wife and…
Scientists versus science – thoughts on the integrity of researchers
Scientists versus science – thoughts on the integrity of researchers The scientific and technological progress has been euphorically welcomed for most of the last…
The libertarian reflex – The dangerous post-Corona cocktail of the other kind
The libertarian reflex – The dangerous post-Corona cocktail of the other kind “The Federal Council has acted without strategy from the outset. It is…
Angry citizens, conspiracy theorists, science skeptics, anti-Semitism – The dangerous post-Corona cocktail
Angry citizens, conspiracy theorists, science skeptics, anti-Semitism – The dangerous post-Corona cocktail For a long time, people in Europe have impressively endured lockdown, obediently…
The key out of the corona crisis – Getting the vaccine rapidly
The key out of the corona crisis – Getting the vaccine rapidly Investment bankers and venture capital investors are used to working 80 to…
Fake Science – New threats to the integrity of science
Fake Science – New threats to the integrity of science In September 1986, the East German biologist Jakob Segal, together with his wife and…
Nature strikes back – let’s finally listen to those who understand them best!
Nature strikes back – let’s finally listen to those who understand them best! Every crisis creates its own heroes. In the current crisis, these…
What do we believe in during the Corona crisis? – In science
What do we believe in during the Corona crisis? – In science Every day the world is fascinated and scared by the latest growth…