Is Science Broken? Navigating the crisis in basic research
Details
Ever feel like the next big scientific breakthrough is just… not happening? That we're living in a time of endless incremental progress, but the truly paradigm-shifting ideas are nowhere to be found? You might think that's just how things are, but a growing number of scientists are asking a provocative question: What if something is fundamentally wrong with the way we do basic research today?
Join Bangkok Scientifique for a dive into this thorny, fascinating topic. We'll explore the "social pathologies" and "critical situation" in certain fields, especially fundamental physics. Why are we seeing so many fraudulent publications? What are the pressures on researchers to publish or perish, and what happens when that goes wrong? This is a timely discussion that reaches far beyond the ivory tower, touching on everything from how scientific funding works to what we consider "truth" in an age of information overload.
We're incredibly excited to welcome our speaker, a true insider with a fresh perspective. After 27 years as a foreign expert at Thammasat University's department of mathematics and statistics, Dr. Paolo Bertozzini has been in the thick of it all. He’s an active researcher in complex fields like quantum gravity and non-commutative geometry, which means he's seen the system from the inside out. He’s uniquely positioned to shed light on what's going on—and what needs to change.
In this talk, you can expect an engaging, example-driven exploration of these issues. You'll hear about real-world cases and the historical context that led us here. Paolo is committed to having a rigorous, honest conversation—free of both "pathetic anti-scientific conspiracy theories" and "unjustified defense of evident pro-scientific-establishment malpractices." It’s an intellectual tightrope walk, and the answers may surprise you. We promise a lively, thoughtful discussion.
### Event Details
- Date: Thursday, 25 September 2025
- Time: 19:00
- Venue: Public House Sukhumvit 31
This event is free of charge. We do however ask that you please consider supporting Public House by purchasing your choice of food and drink during the event. Public House has kindly agreed to host BKKSci free of charge. This is our way of thanking them for their support.
We welcome everyone with a curious mind, from seasoned science pros to complete newcomers. See you there for what's sure to be a fascinating night.
For those interested in the topic, here are some provocative reads and videos to get you started:
Is Science Broken? Navigating the crisis in basic research