Many scientists are loath to involve themselves in policy debates for fear of losing credibility. They worry that if they participate in public debate on a contested issue, they will be viewed as biased and discounted as partisan. That perception then will lead to science itself being branded as partisan, further weakening public trust in research.
The public actually may be eager to hear from scientists who advocate policies that fall within their realm of expertise, according to a study published in 2021 by my colleagues and me at ETH Zurich. Led by graduate student Viktoria Cologna, we undertook a survey of about 900 people in the U.S. and Germany.
When specific policies are involved, however, things get stickier and even potentially confusing. Although in principle members of the public approve of scientists endorsing policies, their support for endorsement weakened when people considered an actual plan. Only 51 percent of Germans and 62 percent of Americans supported scientists advocating for carbon taxes, for instance. What people say about abstract principles and how they react to a particular example are not quite the same.
NaomiOreskes The question is, which scientists? Government funded propagandists, or the blacklisted outcasts who didn't sell out and stuck to truthful observations?
NaomiOreskes Real scientists don’t want to get involved in public debate as truth is uncomfortable to masses and politicians. This has happened since ages.
NaomiOreskes I agree as long as they disclose from who they got their grants at any given study.
NaomiOreskes Real scientist without hidden agendas or political preconceived ideologies. Those are hard to find.
NaomiOreskes Do policy studies then (nearly nobody is) and develop detailed proposals. See
NaomiOreskes It would have been great to see a debate between VPrasadMDMPH, P_McCulloughMD, DrJBhattacharya, DrPaulOffit and Dr_AnthonyFauci, RWalensky, Surgeon_General during the vax rollout. Instead, US Gov't pursued policy of active suppression of debate among qualified Dr's.
NaomiOreskes Unfortunately for scientists, Dr Fauci led the way and now scientists are viewed as smart but with no common sense. The canceling of scientists also ruined their reputation. Now they are the butt of jokes.
NaomiOreskes The public should be aware that scientists are already deeply involved in policy debates. The public can take comfort in knowing their opinions are paid for in advance. The real deficit is that of truth.
NaomiOreskes That would result in the discrediting science
NaomiOreskes ... says the progressive lobby group masquerading as scientists.
NaomiOreskes This rag pushing politics again.
NaomiOreskes Policy makers finance much of climate science, do they dear to challenge those who finance them ?
NaomiOreskes No we don't. If the COVID debacle taught us anything is that 'science' can be 'manipulated' to support any conclusion that those in power want it to be.....can you say 'CDC'?
NaomiOreskes Idk I have been pretty disappointed in scientists discussing policy on twitter.
NaomiOreskes Ignoring scientists while dealing with fixes for the climate is like ignoring architects when building the bridges
NaomiOreskes Actually no, they don't . Science has nothing to do with policy but rather followng the rules and principles of those Sciences. Science is not a vote!
NaomiOreskes Most of the people want unbiased science. Something activists from both sides of the political spectrum don‘t like.
NaomiOreskes Absolutely. Less opinion, belief and $, more science, intelligence and fact.
NaomiOreskes What is a woman?
Achtung Naturwissenschafterinnen: Die Welt funktioniert nicht wie ein Labor. 'Die Wissenschaft hat keine moralische Dimension. Sie ist wie ein Messer. Wenn man es einem Chirurgen und einem Mörder gibt, gebraucht es jeder auf seine Weise.' W. von Braun
Politics will distract scientists from science. I think there must be limits on participation in political debates for scientists so that politics does not reflect on science.
Yes, IF they're NOT biased, NOT pushing an agenda (theirs or someone else's), ARE willing to listen to challenges/other's opinions, facts. So far haven't seen any of that type of 'experts'.
SA is a far left political propaganda outlet which is at war with science and with scientific experts
'climate scientists should not be offering stock tips or medical advice.' Yes but climate scientists are humans as well who may very well have a medical condition and their personal experience with it, and sharing this, could help others with the same or similar condition.
No. We don't. Stop it Scientific American. You're not helping.
Constructive report Next up should be proofs of how the media is miserably failing at this, esp top TV newscasts We need the media to incorporate science, solutionsJournalism (not about political marketing&bickering), multi-topic brief segments, & SMC_London-like science voice
Everything is political. There's no such thing as non-partisan. That ship has sailed with masks.
But you suck at that
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