I previously wrote about the excessive use of tear gas against protesters in Ferguson, MO, where Darren Wilson will not face charges for killing unarmed citizen Michael Brown. Unfortunately, tear gas was used recklessly again tonight, hitting peaceful protesters as well as journalists.

Brown is another name to add to the increasingly long list of unarmed men and women killed by police. There is no justification for killing someone that does not present an armed and dangerous threat.

This affects science and tech in many ways. The tear gas article mentioned earlier speaks to the scientific justification for using tear gas in a civilian area. Online technology such as social media has been instrumental in keeping the details of this case in the forefront of people's minds.

Sadly, this adds to the potential science and tech contributors lost to unnecessary violence. Maybe 28 year old Akai Gurley would have inspired someone in his neighborhood to pursue a scientific path.

Maybe 18 year old Michael Brown would have ended up majoring in a science related field in college.

Maybe 17 year old Trayvon Martin would have attached himself to science during his late high school and college years.

Maybe 12 year old Tamir Rice would have had a chance to enjoy science in middle school.

Black lives matter.