Thinking Dangerously

The World Question Center has kicked off 2006 with their annual question, suggested by Steven Pinker, professor of Psychology at Harvard University.

   What is your dangerous idea?
   The history of science is replete with discoveries that were considered socially, morally, or emotionally dangerous in their time; the Copernican and Darwinian revolutions are the most obvious. What is your dangerous idea? An idea you think about (not necessarily one you originated) that is dangerous not because it is assumed to be false, but because it might be true?

The question was posed to some of the most prominent minds of our world, and what came back was 119 responses, totaling 75,000 words. I haven't read the responses yet -- just browsed -- but what I've found thus far is certainly tantalising. My appetite has been whet -- I'll just need to save the reading for when my brain is ready for it. The responses tend to be very philosophical in nature and quite interesting.