Who Needs Science, Anyway?

Credit – BBoomerinDenial

Let me be the first to offer best wishes and a bon voyage to Canada’s scientists. The government has told them to forget about their normal enquiries and concentrate on things that will help business. Yes, this government thinks that it can mandate made-to-order science. And they seem to think that our best and brightest will be happy in their new role as civil servants doing the bidding of politicians and business people. Politicians and business people. Who better to point the way to new scientific discoveries?

How could Canada be so foolish, you ask? Well, in this country we have a political system where a party can get 39% of the vote and form a majority government. Then this “majority” can dictate to the 61% who voted against it. It’s in this welter of irrationality that politicians think they can choose the science they want.

Here are some examples of their hubris:
Scientist calls new confidentiality rules on Arctic project ‘chilling’
Harper Government Stifles the Truth

Here’s what some scientists think of it:
How Science Can Help the Feds Save Face
Open for business: Refocused NRC
Outcry Grows Over Canadian Govt’s Undermining of Climate Science
Is Canada giving up on science?

Here’s what a Canadian commentator thinks of it:
Rick Mercer Says Scientists ‘Muzzled’ In Canada Again (VIDEO)

You want some science with that?

If I were a talented young scientist, I think I’d be looking for some place I could do real science. Some place where they believe in fundamental research, exploring the unknown. Some place outside of Canada.

rjb

4 comments on “Who Needs Science, Anyway?”

Uuuggghhh! I have neither the brain power now nor the courage to go through the links you provided, but I recognize stoopid when I see it.
In Florida, we have a governor who thinks he can do anything he wants to pretty much… Oh wait! duh! He can do whatever he likes!

You should check out the video link. Rick Mercer does good rants.-)

rjb

Canadians are a very guarded lot. Years ago, when one of my sisters was a prof at a university in Manitoba, she found the same project guardedness throughout the educational facility. She moved to the USA where university projects are much more open.
The Canadian Government is now making our professional secrecy official.

It’s true that this is a very secretive government, but it’s worse than that. They’re telling scientists how to do their jobs in service of the government’s agenda. What’s next? Telling artists to do art that’s good for business? Bah!

rjb

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emmylgant on May 15, 2013 at 14:18 said:

Uuuggghhh! I have neither the brain power now nor the courage to go through the links you provided, but I recognize stoopid when I see it.
In Florida, we have a governor who thinks he can do anything he wants to pretty much… Oh wait! duh! He can do whatever he likes!

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arjaybe on May 15, 2013 at 14:20 said:

You should check out the video link. Rick Mercer does good rants.-)

rjb

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Laird Smith on May 15, 2013 at 16:40 said:

Canadians are a very guarded lot. Years ago, when one of my sisters was a prof at a university in Manitoba, she found the same project guardedness throughout the educational facility. She moved to the USA where university projects are much more open.
The Canadian Government is now making our professional secrecy official.

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arjaybe on May 15, 2013 at 16:55 said:

It’s true that this is a very secretive government, but it’s worse than that. They’re telling scientists how to do their jobs in service of the government’s agenda. What’s next? Telling artists to do art that’s good for business? Bah!

rjb

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