Comments on: Heh.. A presidential… ha … debate on.. heh … science. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

By: The Centipede

The Centipede — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:50:33 +0000

>> I would hope that the best politicians might be intellectually developed enough to also comprehend science, at least, in principle.

Or recognize because they don’t know universal gravitation from the sucking noise all their sycophants make that perhaps they need to leave science to the experts and trust their judgment. None of this ‘teach the controversy’ or other such twaddle.

By: Gary Ansorge

Gary Ansorge — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:37:37 +0000

Actually, politics IS the oldest profession, probably even predating prostitution. Every time we scratch someones back, in expectation they’ll scratch ours, that’s politics. Observe the give and take in ape societies. The formation of power groups as one ape supports another. It’s ALL politics. Politics has occasionally been described as the art of getting what you want from someone, while they walk away thinking they came out on top in your negotiations. Some are really gifted at this. Most are inept, but trying. Politics is ancient, predating the rise of humanity. Canines do it all the time. As such, everyone is qualified to be a politician but some are bound to be better at it than others.

Science, on the other hand, requires a highly developed prefrontal cortex, to anticipate the consequences of our actions. It’s a fairly recent development in human evolution, consistant with the ongoing evolution of our brains. I would hope that the best politicians might be intellectually developed enough to also comprehend science, at least, in principle.

GAry 7

By: The Centipede

The Centipede — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:36:25 +0000

A presidential debate on science is more or less akin to a scientist debate on international politics. Inherently silly.

A presidential debate on scientific policy, on the other hand, could be informative even if it were what debates now are, which are exchanges of polemic intended to batter the opposition into submission and ‘rally the troops’ rather than actually convince anyone of anything. Why do I say it’d be informative?

First candidate who says “whatever the scientists agree upon goes because I know as much about their field as they know about mine” wins.

By: David Blair

David Blair — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:17:04 +0000

Yeah, and I hope they use “hard science” scientist like (physicists, chemists, mathematicians and computer scientists) rather than “soft science” scientists who have an obvious political or religious bias.

By: The Bad Astronomer

The Bad Astronomer — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:46:49 +0000

Detached Observer:

Here’s a start; how about first of all understanding evolution is real and creationism is wrong. That eliminates half the Republican candidates immediately.

How about understanding that you cannot suppress scientific results you don’t like?

How about understanding that UFOs are mundane objects misinterpreted?

By: Detached Observer

Detached Observer — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:11:46 +0000

I just find it really amusing that a scientist who expresses political opinions several times a week will say something about â€œlack of any qualifications whatsoever of the presidential candidates on either side about scienceâ€. As a somewhat skeptical person, I thought about a few questions:
1. What would constitute a qualification? Taking a science class? Working professionally in the field? Having an interest in the topic?
2. Do ALL the candidates â€œlackâ€¦ any qualificationsâ€¦ about scienceâ€? Was any research done to verify their lack of qualifications? Is this a fact or an opinion? (I know, I know, Iâ€™m being skepticalâ€¦)
3. What qualifies a person to talk about politics? Taking a Poli-Sci class? Being registered to vote? Being a scientist? Being a blogger? Having an opinion?
4. Throughout their education, do Political Science/Law students take more science classes than scientists take Poli-Sci classes?

OK, time for a quick quiz: Name the candidate that has an Bachelors Degree in Biology. Bonus: What is their graduate degree?

By: Harold

Harold — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:06:57 +0000

The “Big Brother” scenario would really simplify the primary process. Of course, Iowa would insist on getting to call in its vote first.

Maybe we could do the debate as a science quiz show, hosted by Al Gore!