Three prominent researchers warn about the current existential threat in the United States

Helmut Schwarz has been reading about what happened to science during the rise of Adolf Hitler, almost a century ago.

The German chemist just received the Frontiers of Knowledge Award from the BBVA Foundation in Spain, due to his contributions to the field of catalysis. For him, there are parallels between the situation in Nazi Germany and Trump’s United States.

“From 1900 to 1932, a third of all Nobel Prizes went to Germany, more than to the U.S. and the U.K. combined,” he tells EL PAÍS. He and two other scientists sat down with EL PAÍS in Bilbao, where they received their awards.

“When Hitler came to power,” he continues, “German science — which led the world — completely disintegrated. But Hitler thought that wouldn’t be a problem,” he continues. Now, Donald Trump’s administration views universities — supposed hotbeds of progressive ideology — as the enemy. He wants to bring them under his control. “In my opinion, the threat isn’t immediate, but it’s very important in the long term,” Schwarz adds.

  • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
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    3 days ago

    I say let them.

    Iran was a progressive country once too and look how it is now. Also look at it’s power nowadays. The US wants to be Gillead from the handmaid’s tale? Then go ahead. You’ll be a third world country, unable to feed your own population, within a few years.

    Good luck

    • Tollana1234567@lemmy.today
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      3 days ago

      it was progressive, until the USA backed the shah of iran, which turned into islamic state because of the USA meddling.

      • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
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        24 hours ago

        Very correct. It’s just weird to see them now doing the same to themselves.

        I get the mass murdering and deporting immigrants and such (definitely not agreeing with it, but I get it, imprison, torture, and murder your enemies for your own good)

        I don’t get the rejection of science. This WILL destroy the country in loads of inventive and not so fun ways. It’s plain dumb, but here we are.