The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1948-10-08
BY J. M. PETERSON

The culture lag is not just some
thing theorists talk about. 1t is q
cold historic fact that our knowledge
and skill in social science, the art OF
living together has continued to lag
far behind our knowledge of the phys.
ical sciences, production machinery
biology, chemistry, etc.
Generally speaking, both workers
and management are skilled with ma
chimes and production Both know
the how and the why of mechanics
When the machine stalls, no tradition
or superstition operates to hinder the
application of rational thinking at
getting at the cause and applying a
remedy.
In the physical sciences, man is
almost if not wholly free to expert
ment, to study, and to try out his
findings.
No longer does punishment await
the one who says the earth is round
or that the sun stands still No longer
do we hear that if God had intended
man to fly he would have given him
wings. AS contrasted with the past,
we hardly can find opposition to the
introduction of new devices such as
was shown with the introduction of
steam for transportation.
In the overall picture of production
too, there is objective thinking. Man
agement calculates the peoples need,
real and imaginary and their purchas-
ing power as well as foreign markets.
In craftsmanship, management is sup
erb Thus in physical science, prac-
tically no tradition, superstitution, or
false teachings stand in the way to
retard progress.
But in the science or business of
living together the story is quite diff
ferent In this sphere we have not
attained the ability to apply the OBJ
jective and unhampered thinking we
have used so successfully in dealing
with machines, biology, and chemis-
try.
In our ignorance of social science, |
we continue to permit all sorts of UNI
scientific and dangerous practices. !
The relationship between groups with
in nations and between nations are
Unscientific, unjust, and dangerous |
explorations of groups ,
and nations, and social injustice of |
many kinds are rampant to threaten
peace and retard progress.
In a vague way of course, people
recognize these unsocial practices as
needless, harmful, and retarding.
They also know, more vaguely, that
so long as these practices are per-
nitted to continue, there is no GER
.ainty of peace and abundance for
anyone anywhere.
But our progress in removing the
inequalities, explorations, and special
privileges that hold back progress is
erribly slow in comparison with our
progress in mechanics, in chemistry
md other physical sciences. That is
What is here meant by the culture lag (,
Real progress towards freedom and
democracy under which the individ-
lal can develop himself to the maxi :
nuns requires productive capacity, of
course. That however is only half of !
t.. The other half consists of the ,
bility to make production, our edu- !
ational facilities, medical science,
nd social gains available to all. ;
Retarding Influences q
What then are the situations that c
revent removal or the intimidation i
f the retarding influences?
Principally, the cause lies in the 1t
nequal distribution of power be- 2
ween nations and groups within ma n
ions. Power is the deciding factor. v