Comments on: What Must the Next President Do to Save Science? DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project 2008 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/ A blog about science, politics, and how to let each help the other without compromising them both. Thu, 08 Jan 2009 04:49:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Sanka http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1102 Sanka Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:19:32 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1102 EO and Darlene are both right -- the Office of Technology Assessment should be reopened and should include citizen input and we should hear from our potential future leaders now but more importantly, science and research and the fundamental necessity and value of discovery must be reborn in our government. It's not just about specific programs -- that's too small. Government gets bogged down in the practicalities of research -- corporations will take care of practicalities. The government needs to back true, honest scientific inquiry -- it is the only body that can. The investment is justified in the next generations not in the next fiscal year. This is a concept that must be supported and discussed and fought for on a regular basis not just once a year in the SOTU. AIDS research, cyber terrorism, energy research, water conservation -- all areas that our nation desperately needs to lead, but requires a commitment beyond politics, a commitment to stay above the either/or logic of the Congressional budget process and treat this research as as essential to our national well-being and security as national defense. EO and Darlene are both right — the Office of Technology Assessment should be reopened and should include citizen input and we should hear from our potential future leaders now but more importantly, science and research and the fundamental necessity and value of discovery must be reborn in our government. It’s not just about specific programs — that’s too small. Government gets bogged down in the practicalities of research — corporations will take care of practicalities. The government needs to back true, honest scientific inquiry — it is the only body that can. The investment is justified in the next generations not in the next fiscal year. This is a concept that must be supported and discussed and fought for on a regular basis not just once a year in the SOTU. AIDS research, cyber terrorism, energy research, water conservation — all areas that our nation desperately needs to lead, but requires a commitment beyond politics, a commitment to stay above the either/or logic of the Congressional budget process and treat this research as as essential to our national well-being and security as national defense.

]]> By: DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project: Phil Plait | Reality Base | Discover Magazine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1054 DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project: Phil Plait | Reality Base | Discover Magazine Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:58:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1054 [...] Science Policy Project: Craig VenterObesity May Be In Your Genes, But It Isn’t Your DestinyWhat Must the Next President Do to Save Science? DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project 2008 [...] […] Science Policy Project: Craig VenterObesity May Be In Your Genes, But It Isn’t Your DestinyWhat Must the Next President Do to Save Science? DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project 2008 […]

]]> By: DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project: Craig Venter | Reality Base | Discover Magazine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1030 DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project: Craig Venter | Reality Base | Discover Magazine Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:24:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1030 [...] Reality Base to your RSSObesity May Be In Your Genes, But It Isn’t Your DestinyWhat Must the Next President Do to Save Science? DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project 2008Why Fight Curable STDs? Because They Increase the Risk of Incurable STDsWeekly Science & [...] […] Reality Base to your RSSObesity May Be In Your Genes, But It Isn’t Your DestinyWhat Must the Next President Do to Save Science? DISCOVER’s Science Policy Project 2008Why Fight Curable STDs? Because They Increase the Risk of Incurable STDsWeekly Science & […]

]]> By: Darlene Cavalier http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1016 Darlene Cavalier Tue, 09 Sep 2008 19:11:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1016 I'm glad Discover's keeping science in the election equation. GOOOO Discover and Melissa! It's important to keep this dialogue alive. However, I agree with Sam, this first example is a little lacking. Unless, of course, E.O. Wilson is suggesting Congress reopens the Office of Technology Assessment (w/citizen input), in which case I'd be his #1 fan. While it's important for Discover's readers to be exposed to all of this and get a taste of the many ways federal policies can impair or repair science research in the U.S., the real fact of the matter is this: The candidates are bombarded with this type of advice. Folks at the National Academies, AAAS, Union of Concerned Scientists, Scientists and Engineers for America and everyone in between has presented the candidates with their "top things to do to improve science research" in the U.S. (in some form or fashion). The question is whether or not either of these candidates will adopt any recommendations, including those Discover has forthcoming. That's precisely why the time for the candidates to present their positions on critical matters of science policy is NOW. I want to hear them debate their visions for science and innovation in the U.S. THEY need to provide their answers -- and unless it's coming from them, it's not an answer, just another recommendation--to demonstrate which course of action they intend to take over the next four years. Or, we can continue to spin our wheels listening to ourselves pontificate on these matters. Unless McCain and Obama start posting comments here on this blog (which would be awesome...consider it a dare, boys!), I'm afraid we'll still be left in the dark as to how the next four years will impact science research. Are there plans to have the candidates respond to these recommendations? I’m glad Discover’s keeping science in the election equation. GOOOO Discover and Melissa! It’s important to keep this dialogue alive.
However, I agree with Sam, this first example is a little lacking. Unless, of course, E.O. Wilson is suggesting Congress reopens the Office of Technology Assessment (w/citizen input), in which case I’d be his #1 fan.
While it’s important for Discover’s readers to be exposed to all of this and get a taste of the many ways federal policies can impair or repair science research in the U.S., the real fact of the matter is this: The candidates are bombarded with this type of advice. Folks at the National Academies, AAAS, Union of Concerned Scientists, Scientists and Engineers for America and everyone in between has presented the candidates with their “top things to do to improve science research” in the U.S. (in some form or fashion). The question is whether or not either of these candidates will adopt any recommendations, including those Discover has forthcoming.
That’s precisely why the time for the candidates to present their positions on critical matters of science policy is NOW. I want to hear them debate their visions for science and innovation in the U.S. THEY need to provide their answers — and unless it’s coming from them, it’s not an answer, just another recommendation–to demonstrate which course of action they intend to take over the next four years. Or, we can continue to spin our wheels listening to ourselves pontificate on these matters. Unless McCain and Obama start posting comments here on this blog (which would be awesome…consider it a dare, boys!), I’m afraid we’ll still be left in the dark as to how the next four years will impact science research.
Are there plans to have the candidates respond to these recommendations?

]]> By: Sam Lowry http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1013 Sam Lowry Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:50:12 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/realitybase/2008/09/09/what-must-the-next-president-do-to-save-science-discovers-science-policy-project-2008/#comment-1013 With all due respect to E.O. Wilson, these kinds of suggestions are why the candidates are debating at Rick Warren's church at the same time there is no prospect of a Science Debate. Speeches, commissions and bipartisanship aren't going to unwind the current administration's eight years of active and diligent anti-science work. Hopefully the other proposals are going to be a little more forceful than this one. With all due respect to E.O. Wilson, these kinds of suggestions are why the candidates are debating at Rick Warren’s church at the same time there is no prospect of a Science Debate.

Speeches, commissions and bipartisanship aren’t going to unwind the current administration’s eight years of active and diligent anti-science work. Hopefully the other proposals are going to be a little more forceful than this one.

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