A Call to Awareness

September 7, 2011 • Ben Pham '12  
Filed under III. Opinions

On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the credit rating of the United States of America, and the blame game in Washington began anew, with both sides of the political aisle pointing fingers, naming names, and making shrill accusations.  American furor at Congress and the President reached new levels; both sides in Washington not only acknowledged Americans’ anger, but abused it, using it to increase the currency of their fiscal arguments.

Numerous lessons can be drawn from the debt ceiling/downgrade fiasco; most have already been expounded upon in the media. Calls to cut government spending and restore America’s long-term fiscal health have become commonplace, now a familiar part of the current political climate. At the rate we’re going, after previous calls for the restoration of our national security, our moral center, and now our fiscal health, there seems little left for Washington left to restore, save balance to the Force. I suspect the proposal for doing so will be coming forthrightly.

A lesson from I’d like to focus on from the debt crisis, in the form of a question: Why did it take the threat of economic collapse to stir Americans’ outrage? Answer: Because as Americans, we were too busy soaking in wealth to pay attention – we were unaware.

As our politicians seek to emphasize a theme of restoration, I’d like to take this opportunity to call for a restoration of political awareness, especially among GSMST students. Traditionally, scientists, medical practitioners, engineers, and researchers have had to interfere little in the affairs of Washington. Vote for whichever party gives you more research funding, or whichever party passes healthcare legislation most favorable to your own personal interests. Or, perhaps, stick your head in the sand, remaining firmly apolitical. In science, after all, there can only be one truth; in politics, there are at least two.

However, as future specialists in science, technology, engineering, and math fields, GSMST students no longer have the luxury of remaining apolitical. The most infamous group of apolitical scientists, working on the Manhattan Project, unleashed the most devastating weapon the earth has ever known, to be controlled, ultimately, by politicians. And now, in our globalized world, skilled workers in STEM fields are becoming increasingly critical. In a not-so-distant future, we will be called upon to fix the world’s ever-increasing problems; to begin to study now with an awareness of the issues that confront our generation is to study with a true purpose.

In short, start thinking now about the implications of the knowledge and skills you’re acquiring. Contemplate your education. Above all, execute your studies with awareness of the world around you. With more knowledge and awareness, perhaps we might make better decisions. Pick up a newspaper. Become informed. The world is moving faster than the election cycle, and as future STEM leaders, we can’t afford not to be prepared.

Tags: awareness, crisis, debt, education, friedman, future, GSMST, politicians, politics, STEM, students

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