Science and Politics

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Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) commented, "Once you begin letting politics get in the way of choosing scientists to offer expert advice, you corrupt the very process designed to get you good advice."

But in fact politics is unavoidable in the empaneling process. The real question is whether we want to openly confront this reality or allow it to play out in the proverbial backrooms of political decision making.

-- "Accepting Politics in Science" by Roger A. Pielke Jr. for The Washington Post

Before Monk's blogging experiences, in which he has seen educated and very intelligent people cast dispersions on evolution, not to mention the heated controveries over global warming, he would've been shocked at Mr. Pielke's notion that we should accept a political dimension in how we handle scientific problems, with Monk being given to think that science is more like math than politics.

In hindsight, it's funny that Monk should be off guard. But he now sees that he may have been naive in this. Ordinarily, he understands all to be politics, and more than that, we necessarily live in a state of war of all against all. And now he sees the point here.

After all, we aren't talking about basic scientific work, but over policies of broad and ultra-complex scientific issues. Single, simple answers probably aren't on hand. Yet, one still recognizes that one can go overboard on embracing politics, and that the Bush Administration plays particularly fast and loose on the science.

( Pielke column )

Science and Politics

~
Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.) commented, "Once you begin letting politics get in the way of choosing scientists to offer expert advice, you corrupt the very process designed to get you good advice."

But in fact politics is unavoidable in the empaneling process. The real question is whether we want to openly confront this reality or allow it to play out in the proverbial backrooms of political decision making.

-- "Accepting Politics in Science" by Roger A. Pielke Jr. for The Washington Post

Before Monk's blogging experiences, in which he has seen educated and very intelligent people cast dispersions on evolution, not to mention the heated controveries over global warming, he would've been shocked at Mr. Pielke's notion that we should accept a political dimension in how we handle scientific problems, with Monk being given to think that science is more like math than politics.

In hindsight, it's funny that Monk should be off guard. But he now sees that he may have been naive in this. Ordinarily, he understands all to be politics, and more than that, we necessarily live in a state of war of all against all. And now he sees the point here.

After all, we aren't talking about basic scientific work, but over policies of broad and ultra-complex scientific issues. Single, simple answers probably aren't on hand. Yet, one still recognizes that one can go overboard on embracing politics, and that the Bush Administration plays particularly fast and loose on the science.

( Pielke column )

Sugar Crush

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In his restlessness, Monk has been making more approaches to Sugar. he sent the following e-mail.

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Melissa,

I'm trying this address again, because I understand you don't care to use your hotmail. Maybe the copy/paste didn't translate well.

I wrote this prior to your Interactive Martin Meme this morning, as you had been silent for a few days, and seeing how I cannot really get in touch through IM. There was the story about your single employer that you said you were willing to tell me about but not at LJ. Moreover, I was hoping that you might be willing to open another channel of communication between us.

( Read more... )

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Sugar Crush

~
In his restlessness, Monk has been making more approaches to Sugar. he sent the following e-mail.

___ ___ ___

Melissa,

I'm trying this address again, because I understand you don't care to use your hotmail. Maybe the copy/paste didn't translate well.

I wrote this prior to your Interactive Martin Meme this morning, as you had been silent for a few days, and seeing how I cannot really get in touch through IM. There was the story about your single employer that you said you were willing to tell me about but not at LJ. Moreover, I was hoping that you might be willing to open another channel of communication between us.

( Read more... )

.