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U.S. scientific visitors pretty well agreed that Communism's rigid dogmas do not seriously confine Russian scientists. In their laboratories their minds are free, and if they are in an officially favored science, they are almost as free to follow their favorite projects as U.S. scientists are. Said Physicist Robert Erode of the University of California at Berkeley: "People can compartmentalize their minds. The argument that there can be no creative science in a restricted society has not held water." Most U.S. visitors agree that Russian scientists are less restricted by political ideology than by the rigid hierarchies of the institutes where they work (which are outgrowths of ideology). "The director is boss," said one of them, "and the younger men tremble when they come to see him." The hierarchal power of the senior scientists sometimes keeps younger men from doing independent research.
Off the Leash. All U.S. scientists were delighted and touched by the universal friendliness of Soviet scientists. In every branch of science the Russians were eager to meet and talk with Americans. They read American journals, and in most cases are frank to admit that they measure their own progress against American work.
During the last three years, Russian official treatment of visitors has eased. There are still a few instances of baggage being searched secretly, and one U.S. scientist had his tape recorder put out of action. But Russian scientists no longer huddle in groups when talking to foreigners, and they are usually free of political watchdogs posing as interpreters.
What worries U.S. visitors more than the specific achievements of Russian science is its momentum. The best young people flock into science—not only the dedicated students but also ambitious young men merely in search of success and status. "This is not surprising," said a Harvard professor. "There is no private business that they might enter. The practice of law cannot be very appealing. What remains but science? In science a man can have an attractive living standard, and he does not have to commit himself politically."
And there is a psychological factor. Most Russians are well aware that they are far behind the West in most areas. But the Luniks have demonstrated that in science, Russia can not only compete, but in at least one area is clearly ahead. U.S. scientist visitors get the impression that all of Russia's huge resources will be directed toward expanding that lead to cover the whole field of science.