'Denigration of science is like a rot'

[n2doc]

by Mike Specian

At a campaign rally in Bismarck, N.D., last May, Donald Trump told an enthusiastic crowd, "We're going to cancel the Paris Climate Agreement, and stop all payments of U.S. tax dollars to UN global warming programs." Despite the fact that over 97 percent of climate scientists attribute our changing climate primarily to human activity, the crowd roared with approval.

Their support is symptomatic of a problem simmering in the U.S. for at least the last 15 years — an erosion in respect for the scientific process. Within the last year, this denial of empirical reality has metastasized into a concerted effort by some to delegitimize and dismantle aspects of our national scientific ecosystem. As citizens it is crucial to recognize this trend, and through collective engagement, work to restore science to its rightful role of separating belief from reality.

On Saturday, in more than 500 locations around the world, including Washington, D.C., rallies and marches will be held to support science. The effort is expected to be a useful next step in raising awareness of the value the discipline brings to society.

Our country is our home, and denigration of science is like a rot. When it takes hold, it puts the entire foundation at risk. Normalizing the idea that some science is a hoax allows other inconvenient conclusions to be more easily criticized, especially those opposed by special interests.

more
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-science-march-20170419-story.html

[Duppers]

1. Bravo, Mike!

"
Given recent events, we no longer have the luxury of inaction. When science is no longer viewed as the objective baseline from which decisions can be made, we all suffer. It is upon us to help anyone who cares about our economy, health and liberty to engage more actively with science. Only then will attempts to undermine it be met with just derision, and not a raucous round of applause."


Mike Specian is passionate, multi-talented young physicist. He and my son were graduated together from JHU last year.

[Permanut]

2. Thanks n2doc for posting..

And for the thoughtful article by Mike Specian. The level of respect we humans (all of us) show for the scientific process, scientific information and just facts in general will determine whether we survive, or whether we turn the Earth over to the cockroaches.