The 2 sides of clearness. 1: Writing clearly. 2: Skills for getting a clear idea from your reading

[Boojatta]

Let's begin with a specific reading passage.

What if most wars described in history books are complete fabrications and never occurred?

Consider the possibility of a conspiracy to spread disinformation, specifically a conspiracy by religious people who want to spread doubt about the value of science in solving the practical problems of daily life.

Scientific knowledge can be applied to create technology. For example, people use science to create office equipment or appliances that you might use. However, such artifacts of technology won't continue to operate if a bomb containing 500 pounds of TNT explodes just outside the walls of the home or office that contains the office equipment or appliances. Also, if you are in the process of operating the office equipment or appliance, then such a bomb will at least injury you and likely kill you.

It doesn't make any sense to say that reality consists of nothing but room-temperature environments that aren't subjected to explosions. Fortunately, where no war is currently being waged, it is very unusual for a bomb containing 500 pounds of TNT to explode near a home or office. So, from the point of view of someone in a home or office who wants to make use of the technological bounty made possible by science, the problem mentioned above is basically war itself.

Allegedly, there is no scientific theory that can reliably predict when and where a war will occur. Allegedly, there have many wars throughout history. It seems that circumstances have conspired to create the impression that, on crucial life-and-death issues, science might not be particularly valuable, and that the value it does provide can be received by anyone who has enough money to buy the products whose existence was made possible by science.

However, the above train of thought was based on the assumption that there have been many wars throughout history. What if wars are actually extremely rare events? Then science is as useful as it is supposed to be.

Introduction to question:
The author says that "the problem (...) is basically war itself."

Question:
In that passage, what kind of war does the author have in mind? For example, is the author talking about price wars by retailers?

[angstlessk]

1. Boojatta the day you make sense, please PM me!

[bemildred]

2. It seems clear the author is talking about wars in which one can expect 500 lb bombs.

"Fortunately, where no war is currently being waged, it is very unusual for a bomb containing 500 pounds of TNT to explode near a home or office."

Do you have a reference for the quoted excerpt, as context for the discussion?