LAUSR

Electrochemistry and electrochemists are part of the big picture of contemporary, modern society established according to the model of Western civilization. Due to technological achievements and comfort provided for the physical life of humans, it appears that all societies strive toward the samemodel. There is an implicit convincement that a better society cannot exist; we do not have even theoretical idea for a better one, as all previous ideas have failed. A part of the underlying “philosophy” of the modern society is based upon pathological rush tomore, faster, and new. People are in never ending race, competing with themselves, with others, and ultimately with the Nature. As a consequence, the most common characteristic of modern people is a lack of time. Paradoxically, we miss one of the basic parameters of our universe. It would not be an exaggeration to say that we do also miss another basic parameter–space. We listen frequently that man will conquer new cosmic space; while from the history of human civilization and the present reality, we know that the battle for space (in physical and metaphorical sense) is permanent. Unfortunately, such characteristics of the modern society are opposite to some of the basic attributes of the Nature, such as balance and moderation, repeating and cycling phenomena and beings, inherent creativity, cooperation instead of competition, etc. Therefore, electrochemists adjusting themselves to the modern society, tending to be trendy, in fashion, produce electrochemical data as much as possible and publish scientific articles as many as possible. Nowadays, it seems that more scientific articles are published than could be red. It is noteworthy to mention that the modern meaning of a scientific article refers to a report containing a collection of data that are briefly commented within accepted scientific paradigm. Such report does not necessarily contain essentially new scientific findings. Moreover, nowadays it appears to be welcome to present a collection of research data without serious elaboration (there is no sufficient space in the scientific journals owned by profitably oriented publishing companies). One concludes that the goal of the research work is primarily to increase the amount of data; hence, research and development sector are treated primarily as a “factory” for producing data rather than enlightened intellectuals. Consequently, such “factory” has to be very big, and besides some bright people, it engages many ordinary workers. The root of such phenomenon is in the general philosophy of the research policy according to which the scientific research is primarily for technological development; it should be practically useful, applicable, i.e., with short-term goals (ironically speaking, it would be ideal if the data from yesterday could be applied today with an instant financial effect). Unfortunately, it seems that the modern society has forgotten the great ideas of ancient philosophy, the renaissance, and enlightenment, which are the foundation of our Western civilization [1], according to which the knowledge is an inherent necessity of the intelligent man, who strives to understand the meaning of the life and to uncover the unprecedented complexity and beauty of the Nature. In fulfillment of such humanistic ideals, the curiosity and enthusiasm are the main driving forces for the research, producing science as an organized knowledge. Transfer of knowledge through the education is one of the biggest achievements of our civilization. Thus, the prime humanistic goal of scientific research is obviously education. Technological development is welcome but a secondary consequence of the accumulated knowledge. Research policy based upon such humanistic understanding of research and science would support first of all fundamental studies in all research areas including electrochemistry. Unfortunately, the present situation is opposite indeed. Fortunately, such a critical tone does not shade the beauty and power of electrochemistry. These characteristics emerge from its main attribute—to be “natural” (electrochemistry can be regarded as interdisciplinary, yet fundamental, natural science...). Here follows some attributes of electrochemistry revealing how natural it is. * Valentin Mirceski [email protected]