The Government’S War On Science: Deliberate Attack, Or Abuse By Neglect?

[Michaelangelica]

The government’s war on science: deliberate attack, or abuse by neglect?

Does it matter which one?

In this case it is Australia

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/opinions/20113103-22011.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencealert-latestnews+%28ScienceAlert-Latest+Stories%29

[dduckwessel]

The government’s war on science: deliberate attack, or abuse by neglect?

 

Quote from the article:

Scientists have information that can, will and must upset the status quo. What they don’t have is the political or rhetorical chutzpah to force it to centre stage and then keep it there...the battle must be taken beyond the halls of parliament and placed squarely in the public arena.

 

 

As I read this article concerning Australia and other stories like it I'm convinced there's an easy fix for this problem. The sciences (around the world) need a Daniel Jackson. Daniel Jackson is (you might laugh) a member of SG-1. For those of you who are not familiar with the Stargate television show (a U.S./Canadian Military/Scientifically-based Science Fiction Television) every bit the scientist but he's also a natural diplomat.

 

In his usual hotheaded fashion, even though there's no doubt that he's right, Major (later General) O'Neill, fails miserably as the diplomat (reminds me of Richard Dawkins) and Daniel Jackson has to step in to smooth over Jack's lack of diplomacy.

 

As I see it, many scientists don't want to be in the public eye but not only that, they're just too busy and it takes time away from their respective work. Many are not suited for the limelight and don't care to be in it.

 

What science needs is middle-men/women, like Daniel Jackson; someone who can represent the scientific community and build bridges to the world of common man. These individuals should be politically savvy, spiritual but not religious, self-assured but not arrogant, brilliant but not condescending and most of all he/she needs to be friendly.

 

The scientific community needs to do more documentaries about their work like the ones presented on U.S. televisions, Discovery Channel. Science should partner with Hollywood (or whatever its name in other countries) to do more comedic television sitcoms that present science in a very funny (and so non-threatening way), like The Big Bang Theory (also a U.S. Television sitcom).

 

For those who are worried that the world will view all scientists as geeky because of that sitcom I can assure you the characters are making their way into peoples hearts, and that's where science has to go in order to catch the imaginations of the world.

 

Another thing that wouldn't hurt is a regular weekly television show that highlights individual scientists and their work in order to create more public interest. It would cover, 'what is science up to' and 'the latest discoveries and/or inventions'. Make sure you get someone who can bring out the individual personalities, passions, and interests of each scientist.

 

That's my two cents for what it's worth.