Memepunks on the war on science…
In an attempt to curb the production of crystal meth, more than 30 states have now outlawed or require registration for common lab equipment. In Texas, you need to register the purchase of Erlenmeyer flasks or three-necked beakers. The same state where I do not have to register a handgun, forces me to register a glass beaker. In Portland, Oregon, even pH strips are suspect. Modern off the shelf “chemistry” sets are sold without any of the questionable chemicals or equipment. For example, when a current company tried re releasing a kit based on the one marketed by Mr. Wizard himself back in the 1950s, they found that they could only include five of the original chemicals in the set. The rest of the items were replaced with inane things like super balls and balloons. Even a non neutered modern chemistry set like the C3000 from Thames and Kosmos is forced to ship without many key chemicals, suggesting to their customers that they acquire the missing ingredients elsewhere.
When chemistry is outlawed, only outlaws will do chemistry – [via] – Link.
18 thoughts on “When chemistry is outlawed, only outlaws will do chemistry”
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Speak out against the War on Chemicals! Don’t accept the moralistic judgement against people who tamper with their brain chemistry. Understand that probably half the murders in the USA today are a result of people choosing to try to suppress the availability of certain chemicals. It’s insane.
Speak out against the War on Chemicals! Don’t accept the moralistic judgement against people who tamper with their brain chemistry. Understand that probably half the murders in the USA today are a result of people choosing to try to suppress the availability of certain chemicals. It’s insane.
Sometimes I really do think there is a war on science. I work as a physics teacher, and the situation is getting depressing
More about this on the GeekDad website.
For a chemistry course a few years ago and I had no problem getting chemicals. They should be available at http://www.sargentwelch.com/ .
I remember some pretty cool exothermic reactions from high school chemistry. It is what makes me so frustrated with airport security. I’m sure I could get some interesting chemicals through the security and buy water inside to create some interesting havoc.
I just don’t feel like inconveniencing myself and a busy airport to prove a point.
I was almost injured because of the war on chemistry, I couldn’t buy any scientific glassware legally so I “improvised.” Instead of using a pyrex beaker to boil down a solution of water and sodium acetate I used an oven-safe measuring cup made of what I presumed to be pyrex. Apprently, the measuring cup wasn’t made of pyrex and EXPLODED on my coleman stove bunsen burner sending broken glass and boiling water-sodium acetate solution everywhere. Fortunately, I ran away as soon as I heard the measuring cup cracking. If you live in a chemophobic state don’t use oven proof glassware as a desperate substitute for the real thing.
It should also be noted that many great physicists, chemists, and scientists grew up playing with chemistry
sets that would be considered far too dangerous by today’s standards.
This seems to be an increasing problem. Last year I wanted to do a science fun week for the kids during the school break. Top of the list was making slime and extracting DNA. Well the chemists (I live in the UK by the way) didn’t stock Boric Acid any more and the same went for IPA.
At time when governments seem to moan about the lack of science students especially in chemistry, perhaps they should be forced to take a look at how their policies are partly to blame.
American society doesn’t want science. It wants consumers, taxpayers, loyalists and social stratification.
In my opinion, there really isn’t anyone to blame because everyone is to blame – the conclusion of the noble experiment the founding fathers started a couple centuries ago is unfolding now.
Observe. Document. Maybe you’ll live long enough to see something “interesting” like mass famine, plague or a nuclear weapon used in anger. Maybe you’ll learn what it feels like to have your face stepped on by secret police. Maybe your life will be destroyed by a justice system that’s deaf, dumb *and* blind. Maybe you’ll simply be ignored and shunned. Do the best you can.
On a more positive note, why not find something you’re interested in (assuming it’s not illegal drug manufacture) start a sole-proprietorship and form business partnerships with other firms that employ experienced interested old-timers who are willing to pass the torch? That way you can pursue your interests, learn from the masters and divert some of the legal liability to the company. Funnel some of your earnings into college courses to learn the stuff you don’t pick up on the job.
Of course, you’ll have to start at the bottom and work your way up. There is a food chain and part of business is finding or making a niche for yourself and then delivering (preferably exceeding) the promised services or goods. If you run your business well chances are good you will be rewarded.
These are observations from my path as I pursue my passions as a software and electronics geek. I don’t make a lot of money but I derive great fulfillment in having a outlet for my passion that contributes something to society.