We’ve set up this web-site to bring together punks across the world who all have an interest in science. Ideally it’s going to be more than simply a web-site: it’s going to grow into a universal network, Punks in Science.

If you’re still reading this, we’re sure you already have a hunch — punks and science thrown together does make sense! On these pages, we will express how much sense it really makes, why there is a need for Punks in Science, what it can do for punks in science, and much more. Read our rap below and check out our manifesto and the brandnew FAQ!

Punks and Science

The 7-second (no pun intended) version is that punks question authority, reject the old, strive for the new, ask for and offer honesty. What does good science do? The same! Moreover, a punk who’s looking beyond personal good (”fun”) is what a good scientist should be: responsible for a better world. That doesn’t mean we don’t want fun, but there are more serious goals we would like to pursue.

Responsibility of Intellectuals

Noam Chomsky has always applied to the conscience of scientists, the responsibility of intellectuals. Naturally, “intellectuals” comprise of more than just scientists, but we’re focusing on the narrow sense. The basic rationale is that we are priviliged to spend our time reading, writing and thinking, educating ourselves, researching (for our own sake or for other goals) etc. Not many people have this choice, and given that we do, we have the responsibility to look beyond ourselves. Similarly, not all punks are destructionist nihilists. Some people call punks “anarchists,” but those of us who are have, of course, a very different conception of “anarchism.” We will set up a site for that topic, too, but it shall not play a major, defining role; we don’t want to press our views on individuals. All we want to say is that a more socially oriented punk also has more in mind than being an outcast, we question authority to change the system. If this makes sense, good. If not, we will clarify the responsibility angle exhaustively over the next few weeks.