On Giants Shoulders

It was the scholars from all cultures who created much of the knowledge we use today. Many, through the journeying of thousands of miles, to certain centres in the ancient world, which allowed further ideas to be developed. Fortunately, some were drawn to major centres where societies, organisations and sometimes, sponsors, allowed for the support of such scholars and individuals. Some organisations built entire complexes to house and feed these scholars, which allowed these ideas to be freely developed. Others formed small social groups of powerful thinkers who worked on ideas. This was not dissimilar to the universities and research scientists working for the corporations of today. However in 1960, twenty per cent of any major company was involved in research, yet, according to recent statistics, this year (circa 2009), that figure has dropped to about four per cent. Is there less to discover? Less, to research? Or, have we become more efficient at the research? Or worse, do we restrict research to that which is only financially beneficial?

There are auspiciously many more universities today, where some wonderful research and thinking is occurring (and some really obscure and ridiculous research). Are we still making the same gigantic leaps in knowledge as occurred in the ancient and developing world? In our thoughts and deeds, our steps forward in civilisation, are we achieving with the same drive and goals? Do we simply stand on the shoulders of the ‘giants’ and enjoy the view? Should we not be building ladders or platforms to take the ‘giants’ ever higher? Have we made life too ‘permanently’ satisfying for some scholars and academics (the old resting on their laurels comes to mind)?  Should we not expect results, rather than having these academics purely ‘controlling’ what others are thinking?

I recently had to complete a series of assignments in relation (although not really) to my employment (No, I’m not an Academic). They wanted the assignments written in the university style for the entire course. This meant reforming other peoples thinking, structuring it correctly and specifically, referencing every idea I mentioned in my writing. In the original draft submission which I had a supervisor review, there was a comment after one particularly strong argumentative paragraph I had written, in which I proposed a ‘new’ idea. The comment written in the space at the side of the text stated. Where did this idea come from? REFERENCE?). I called them up and said “I thought of it!” I was then told, “You can’t do that! You have to reference where the idea came from.” I didn’t understand. I repeated. “No, I thought of the idea. I formed the idea, based upon what I had read and that has already been referenced in the assignment”. This fell on deaf academic ears. Needless to say, they would not accept this. I had to drop the idea and rewrite what other people thought and what respected academics had written before me. I think perhaps, today some of the Giants have fallen over from the sheer weight of all those academics standing on their shoulders simply re quoting all the other academics.

(Continued tomorrow)