Post 18

In this post I will argue that technoscientists should and can do more to help the less fortunate. This includes poorer nations and individuals who are suffering from inequity in every aspect of their lives. Instead of wasting millions of dollars on making the latest game system, why not invest millions of dollars in a developing country or third world country to help facilitate economic growth and improve the quality of life for the people?

It is no secret that the US government spends the most money on military might than any other country in the world. World military expenditure in 2012 is estimated to have reached $1.756 trillion and the USA is responsible for 39 per cent of the world total, distantly followed by the China (9.5% of world share), Russia (5.2%), UK (3.5%) and Japan (3.4%). Although for most of 2000’s the US was in a war against terrorists in the Middle East, it does not justify the Pentagon's total appropriation for war from 2001-2011 in current dollars, which was $1.4 trillion. The Department of Defense was also allocated additional funds for its "base" budget that approximately totals another $836 billion. You may ask what difference would one twenty fifth of the ten-year war budget create? Well, only $30 billion per year is needed to end world hunger, so in theory, we could end one of the world’s greatest issues and still have money left over every year.

            Everyone around the world can agree that without energy, nothing can be accomplished. Every machine, including cars, boats, factories, and robots need some energy source or fuel to perform its task. Also, all these things are directly related to a country’s economy. Think about it, without fuel, boats or trucks could not be transport important goods cheaply and efficiently. Hence, if there is an energy crisis coming in the near future because fossil fuels and non-renewable energy sources are beginning to run out, why is there not more R&D here? Instead of investing time and money in things like the newest iPhone or best-tasting chips, why not try and develop energy sources for the future?

Sources

Shah, Anup. "World Military Spending." - Global Issues. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. <http://www.globalissues.org/article/75/world-military-spending>.

"Economic Cost Summary | Costs of War." Economic Cost Summary | Costs of War. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. <http://costsofwar.org/article/economic-cost-summary>.

"The Cost to End World Hunger - The Borgen Project." The Borgen Project RSS2. Web. 11 Nov. 2014. <http://borgenproject.org/the-cost-to-end-world-hunger/>.