Without science we will have nothing, we will probably not even exists and have the good lives that we have today.
The best way to improve our lives, our society and the world, is thanks to science and technology innovations.
Today the only reason we have good lives is because our current level of technology allows us to have immense productivity doing all sort of things, and that productivity is what causes wealthy societies. We have technology all around us because its key to maintain and improve our well being.
About the role of science in building a better a world, I would say its role is a central one, because its the most important factor if we are looking to improve the world.
I couldn't agree more. In deed, man's claim to progress, can only be seen in the advancements of science and technology more than in anything else. You only need to see, just as you allude to, in the progress, lets say of communication technology. Starting from decades a go when the telephone was first discovered, through the time of brick size mobile phones, and now the era of smart phones....that is progress marked in the improvements of society and its amenities.
And then throughout the health sector, the advancement in medicine, preventive and curative....suffice to say that a lot of what was not known, and what killed people a decade ago is today contained.
What of course remains, and which i choose to toe carefully, is the assertion that the more science has advanced, so have the problems it is premised on solving!
Thanks for your insights @dedicatedguy