Technologists live under tyranny—obey or resist?

Earlier, the Hong Kong science and technology community held a symposium on learning Xi Jinping Thought (see the picture above). In the red-hot new Hong Kong, these things are not uncommon, but when such ugly things happen in the technology world, it is especially absurd and pitiful. Science and technology are based on science, and the scientific and technological community should be the defenders of the scientific spirit, that is, they should fight for freedom and truth. If freedom is suppressed and truth is distorted, it is difficult for science to develop healthily. However, it is precisely what dictators do to suppress freedom and distort truth. Therefore, isn't it very absurd and pitiful for technologists to bow down to dictators? !

It is true that technologists are also human beings and must survive; if dictators control resources, can they not bow their heads? Yes, the reality is difficult. There are always a few people who dare or can stand forward to defend their ideals, and it is indeed possible to sacrifice a lot in the process. Therefore, there are always very few great people. However, even if you don't plan to be a great man, you should avoid being too ugly, and you don't have to rush to show allegiance to a dictator. Life is stressful, and society is a big dye vat. I believe that some people in the scientific and technological world have been overwhelmed and dyed beyond recognition. They have forgotten what scientific spirit is. Expelled from the scientific community (unfortunately there is no such thing).

The picture above is about an article recently published in the international authoritative physical journal, Reviews of Modern Physics, entitled "Micius quantum experiments in space" ("Micius quantum experiment in space"; "Micius" refers to the quantum science experiment satellite "Mozi"). China's research on quantum communication in some aspects is a model of the world. The article just mentioned is a proof, otherwise I believe it will not be published in Reviews of Modern Physics.

As a Chinese, I should be happy to see such scientific and technological achievements in China, but when I think about the sad fate of Chinese scientists under the power, I have reservations, because it is inevitable that I will have an idea: is it worthwhile to be happy? ? If it hadn't been for those who manipulated Chinese society into a mess, the chances of Chinese science would have far surpassed its current level. In a country where power distorts everything, it is difficult for scientists to defend freedom and truth. When those in power today like your research, they will give you a lot of resources, because you are a tool for their purpose; but if one day those in power don't like your research, scientists won't even have the freedom to discuss it or mention it and the truth in it. There is a reason why modern science is dominated by the West. Science can develop healthily in an environment that values freedom and truth.

The introductory part of the article begins like this:

Privacy and security concerns have been rooted in human nature since ancient times. They underpin human dignity and are among the most important human rights [my italics]. With the exponential growth of the Internet and the use of e-commerce, it is critically important to establish a secure global network. Cryptography, the use of codes and ciphers to protect secrets, began thousands of years ago.

It opens with a reference to human dignity and human rights, which I find particularly interesting and ironic. why? It discusses the study of quantum cryptography in China, which is rarely used in such highly technical articles, and there is no need to use it here (of course, it does not mean that they cannot express it in this way), So why do they write it this way? Could it be that human dignity and human rights are something they often recite here (due to lack?), so they can't help but express it this way? Although I don't know the truth, as a Chinese scientist, one can be very dignified and have no human rights, and need to live under the shadow of power manipulation.

Finally, I would like to say a few words about a special personal example (the following introduction mainly refers to this article ), about a Soviet national treasure-level theoretical physicist who lived in the Soviet era, LD Landau (1908-1968). Landau has made significant contributions to physics in many fields, and has a particularly profound impact on the development of Soviet physics. There is the Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics named after him.

After the Soviet Union changed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, many secret files of the KGB (Soviet Secret Police) were released, and the world knew the details of the conflict between the world-class physicist and the Stalin autocratic regime. Simply put, Landau was arrested by the Stalin government in 1938, accused of anti-government activities, and ultimately imprisoned for a year.

Landau admitted his involvement in anti-government activities after two months in captivity, and some scholars believe he did. Stalin's era was extremely harsh on political prisoners, such as executions or long-term imprisonment. The reason why Landau only served one year in prison should be mainly due to his national treasure-level physical academic ability. Pyotr Kapitsa, a Soviet physicist who was influential and well-connected with the government at the time, told officials that he had discovered an important new physical phenomenon that only Landau could explain, and hoped that the government would release him. As a result, Landau was released, and the phenomenon—“superfluidity”—was attempted to explain months later by Landau, and this research was ultimately responsible for the Nobel Prizes for the two men (in different years).

It can be estimated that after being released, Landau will of course not be very free, but will play a great tool value for the Stalin regime - participating in the manufacture of atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs . Describing himself as a "scientist slave," Landau sarcastically made outstanding contributions to the tyranny he hated, winning two Stalin Prizes (1949 and 1953), as well as being awarded the "Hero of Socialist Labor" The title (1954). Why is he working so hard? Was it changed by tyranny? No, but because Landau just can't help but do outstanding scientific work, says a former director of the Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics.