Fakers of Science 49: 
FAKERS OF SCIENCE 
E. G. MAHIN 
The salvation of the world depends upon the development and ap- 
plications of science. This is a statement that may be considered unas- 
sailable. But if anyone objects to this use of the word “salvation” I 
shall not argue the question or become irritated—TI shall simply shift 
my ground somewhat and reiterate: The hope of the world les in 
science and its developments. If it should be that other contentious 
individuals should manifest a doubt as to the propriety of confining 
“hope” to such materialistic lines, I shall not even reply, but again 
side-step and repeat: The whole future of the world, animate and inani- 
mate, is held in the hands of scientists, past, present and yet to be 
born. 
In this evasiveness I can indulge with a perfectly clear conscience 
because I consider all of these statements as meaning essentially the 
same thing. In such circumstances one can afford to be generous and 
to allow another, who may not so regard the matter, to select the term, 
the phrase, the formula that best agrees with his own ideas upon the 
subject. 
Now if my fancied opponent remains obstinate and unconvinced, 
I fall back upon a vice that has already become apparent in this intro- 
duction to my paper—namely, that of over-indulgence in the pronoun, 
first person, singular. I speak for myself alone. No one else is involved 
in any of my statements; no one is asked to accept them unless he 
likes. 
So now the way is cleared, technicalities are brushed aside and 
opposition is trampled down. Exceptions have been noted by the court 
and the basis laid for an appeal. But you will not find the present 
speaker there when the case is called. What I have to say, I say now. 
In the picturesque language of Young America, take it or leave it. It 
is all one to me. So now let us plunge at once into seriousness. 
Can it be that you have forgotten what it is that I have been 
saying so many words about? Well, I am simply trying, in all serious- 
ness, to stress the idea that studies in science, the concentration of 
the human intellect, mass action of human intellects, upon the problems 
of the universe has resulted in enormous benefits to the human race and 
that there is every indication that future efforts will uncover other vast 
fields for the application of forces and principles of which our brightest 
minds do not now even dream. 
The fact is that every one who observes intently and who thinks 
deeply knows that what I have said is true—stripped of ‘all verbosity, 
redundancy and prolixity of every variety, it is essentially true. Then 
to the next idea. 
When we realize what a serious business is the matter of the health 
and comfort and happiness of the human race, individually and col- 
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