I am not a scientist. Two well-presented perspectives by scientists on the Thirty Meter Telescope contain statements that leave me baffled.

The pro-TMT writer said he’d be against a telescope “had there never been any telescopes there,” but backs TMT now (“Stopping the TMT would be a symbolic victory for opponents, but a profound loss for Hawaii,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Aug. 5). I wonder if first happening upon Mauna Kea, he would not instinctively visualize its summit as a great place for viewing the stars, but say no to a tele- scope’s placement there.

The anti-TMT writer acknowledged that “the TMT could discover amazing things about the universe” but viewed factual knowledge as less valuable than maintaining myth, legend and regard for ancient stories, more so if passionately believed as culture (“Scientific research is not a sacred thing; sometimes it must give way to other values,” Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, Aug. 5). It is disappointing and sad to read an educated defense of remaining in the Dark Ages.

Science is not a tool. Technology produces tools by using scientific principles. And science uses tools to further our sense of wonder.

The nature of humans is to learn and explore. And it all begins with our innate sense of wonder.

Kenneth F. Nelson

Waipahu

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