Celebrity

I thought about writing this around Christmas time when the sport personality of the year was being discussed in the media. I have nothing against sport, though it does not interest me personally. Of course, taking part in sport can lead to better fitness and it is good to encourage young people to get involved.

So, what's this about? Well, I have an issue with the salaries paid to many stars. Of course, they should be paid and the level should be appropriate to the situation and take account of the potentially limited time that can be spent playing professionally.

Coincidentally, I also watched the RI Christmas lectures (as I do most years). The lectures for 2013, called The Life Fantastic and available on the Royal Institution's site, literally brought tears to my eyes when some guest scientists explained the work they had been doing concerning the eye.  More recently, I watched an edition of Bang Goes the Theory on the BBC on ageing.  At one point, one of the presenters, Liz Bonnin, met with scientists researching dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease.  The work they are doing is nothing short of amazing.

Now, I am not saying that sports personalities and entertainers don't have talent - it is clear they do and I enjoy listening to music and even watch the (very) occasional sports contest.  What I am saying is that the real heroes in this life are those that work tirelessly in the laboratory or out in the field, trying to make the world a better place and our path through it more comfortable.

Of course, scientists can receive recognition through prizes such as the Nobel awards, though few get these.  It can also be argued that science has caused many of the problems we now have and that increasing longevity just contributes to the issues connected with the increasing human population.  Though these may have validity, it is also true to say that it is science that will also find the answers and that without science I would not, for example, be able to write this blog.  It is also science that allows us to understand the issues facing this planet and the myriad species hat share it with us - I am also hopeful that science will find the ways through to ensuring these organisms will be here for our descendants to see.  I would also like to think science will find the answers, if answers are to be found (!), for the ills that inflect our ageing human populations.

Have a good day