Seems the biggest conflict is between industry scientists and independent scientists. I doubt he is talking about obscure stellar evolution theory, and yes there are many thoughts about dino extinction but not that they roamed the earth thousands of years ago, that would be millions. The 2 biggest areas seem to be evolution and climate science. Accusations that only those working for the extraction industry are being objective and not influenced by money. We see massive ad campaigns to contradict scientists that do not have the budget for advertisement. Seems industry employs attorneys to thwart objectivity, another thing scientist working under government grants lack.
We need for government to take back its role in funding research, privately funded science is the problem. Take the drug industry, we need a new generation of antibiotics, yet 80% of the antibiotics are used and developed on farm animals to increase "yield" because that is where the money is. "First thing is to get the facts straight then you can distort them to prove your point" Mark Twain Amen Brent. I saw firsthand how difficult it is to buck current
scientific theory even if the facts favor you. The dinosaur extinction, continental drift and circumstellar shells around stars were all ridiculed and/or heckled in science meetings I attended at both the U and BYU in the late 60's and early 70's. I do not believe science today is any better with political motivation and funding preventing objectivity. I suspect many of today's cherished theories will be greatly modified or dropped altogether.
-----Original Message----- From: utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+djcolton=piol.com@mailman.xmission.com] On Behalf Of Brent Watson Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:05 AM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Sciece editorial in the Chronicle
Perhaps I missed the point of the article, but it seems to me like science has got to make the change fIrst. What do I mean by that? Current attitudes towards science and the funding of scientific endeavor are shaped by the integrity of those performing the work. All too many times the public finds the motivation for reporting of scientific results is financial, or political. The public does not like this . Experimental results are too often tainted by the need to receive more funding, or to support the current political winds blowing through the air. The current method for funding research needs to change in order to eliminate this posturing. I am not sure what the answer is that will eliminate the improper motivation, but surely there is a better way. I am not saying that all scienctific research results are this way, but there are too many shenanigans being pulled. Certainly I would hope that the vast majority of discovery is honestly reported, and that those behind these results are honorable. But there is too much tainted reporting to be able to eliminate the public skepticism. The news media doesn't help this situation either. Reports of scientific discovery are sensationalized to make them "more news worthy." A great example of this is the reporting of Comet Ison - the Comet of the Century. Now, comet Ison may well be just that, but we need to see the results before that name can be applied. The news media in general has the cart before the horse. Bottom line - if science wants the general public to trust them, then science needs to show more integrity, more facts, and less speculation. Just my $.02 Brent
From: Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> To: utah astronomy listserve utah astronomy <utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 2:49 AM Subject: [Utah-astronomy] Sciece editorial in the Chronicle
Interesting editorial in today's Chronicle:
Americans must drop anti-science ideals http://www.dailyutahchronicle.com/?p=2587452
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