Never before in human history has our lives been so influenced by science. Our civilization is now sustainable only because of it. If we could somehow magically forget all science and its consequences, the death and famine that would ensue would be catastrophic.
What is disturbing is despite its importance, Americans are highly distrustful of science. The issues of stem cells, genetically modified organisms, and nuclear power are just a few of the many hot button issues. Many Americans are scientifically and mathematically illiterate. The worst part about it is that this is socially acceptable. I think about my university where it will not admit someone who cannot read, but an otherwise qualified candidate that cannot do basic algebra can be admitted.
Being illiterate is an embarrassment, but not being able to add fractions is considered all right. This is because, according to many, "math is hard". While I admit it is not the easiest subject and I do not expect people to be able to do calculus, I find it distressing that you can be simultaneously educated and lack basic mathematical skills. Of course, the same is true for science as well. This is in spite of how vital it is to our survival as a species.
Even worse, many of our leaders lack even the basic grasp of the scientific method and its basic results. This failure to understand has led to the cult of Creationism that takes up a large portion of the American public. Despite this, I find an encouraging sign is Barrack Obama's response to the Science Debate 2008 questions. They are surprisingly detailed and thoughtful demonstrating the candidates (or at least his advisors who likely helped craft the responses) deep understanding of scientific issues. McCain has yet to answer the questions and I look forward to his responses.
That being said, McCain's choice of Sarah Palin is disturbing to me. Her stances on Creationism being taught in the classroom are quite disturbing to me. Such anti-science policies have not served us well in the last 8 years. Add to this her inexperience. Yes, while Obama has a thin resume as well, he has proven his astutenes on the campaign trail, defeated the powerful Clinton machine, procured 18 million votes nationally, and was well received by world leaders. Palin, an appointee, has yet to demonstrate any of this and her thoughts (or lack thereof) on he Iraq war are also a grim sign. Nonetheless, she is still an unknown quantity. Hopefully, all of this will become clear in the weeks ahead.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Political Thoughts
I know I am not the only one a bit disappointed with the current direction my country (the US) is going. While I do not agree with every action the US has taken over the years, I believe that it has been a very net positive in the world. My teenage years were largely in the late 1990s. In those days, the US was strong, respected, and the economy was prosperous. Today, I feel my country is slipping away from what it once was. The economy is in shambles due to mismanagement, we have a looming energy crisis, and our national image is in tatters due to foreign policy blunders. I'm wondering if it is even possible to turn back the clock. Can America revive its former glory? Or have we forever squandered our greatness?
All of this is dispiriting. I consider myself deeply and try to serve my country as a professional servant. Somehow, though, I feel America is deeply ill. While there are many things, I feel there are two things that come to my mind as deeper systemic problems.
1) Hyperpartisanship. America is divided into "red" and "blue" states. I consider myself a moderate on most political issues, but really I am a pragmatist. While I do have some ideology, much of it is driven by getting the best result done as efficiently as possible regardless of whether they are "liberal" or "conservative" ideas. I find that most people are driven by key wedge issues and as such our politicians fight each other rather than work together. If America is to be restored, we will need to set aside our differences.
2) Anti-Intellectualism. It seems to me that large numbers of Americans are deeply suspicious of educated people. I work in nuclear science, and this problem is very clear to me. The more I learn about my field, the less credible I seem to become. This is understandably frustrating because it is essentially a Catch 22. If I lack the education, I am not trusted because I am unqualified; however, if I have the education, I am not trusted because I am supposedly biased. Ironically, I have found many people give more credibility to those who have less qualifications. This person example illustrates a broader point. We are more likely to elect leaders "who are like the average guy" rather than ones that those most qualified to solve our most difficult problems. In a country where knowledge is seen as a weakness, how can we hope to succeed?
I will admit that the Obama-Biden candidacy gives me some hope. I believe Obama to be sincere in his desire to bring change to Washington, but I remain skeptical whether or not he (or anyone) can truly do it in a place where the political parties are deadlocked and there is no respect for talent. As for McCain, I used to like him, but he seems to have drifted away from the Maverick he once was and his tendency to be bellicose and treat war as casually as he does gives me serious reservations.
I suppose by this post, people can call me an "elitist" just like they call Obama. Nonetheless, I am who I am and I feel no need to be ashamed of it. Just because I might not "be able to relate to the ordinary Joe Six-Pack" does not make me unpatriotic. America must be restored. I just wish I knew what I could do to help.
All of this is dispiriting. I consider myself deeply and try to serve my country as a professional servant. Somehow, though, I feel America is deeply ill. While there are many things, I feel there are two things that come to my mind as deeper systemic problems.
1) Hyperpartisanship. America is divided into "red" and "blue" states. I consider myself a moderate on most political issues, but really I am a pragmatist. While I do have some ideology, much of it is driven by getting the best result done as efficiently as possible regardless of whether they are "liberal" or "conservative" ideas. I find that most people are driven by key wedge issues and as such our politicians fight each other rather than work together. If America is to be restored, we will need to set aside our differences.
2) Anti-Intellectualism. It seems to me that large numbers of Americans are deeply suspicious of educated people. I work in nuclear science, and this problem is very clear to me. The more I learn about my field, the less credible I seem to become. This is understandably frustrating because it is essentially a Catch 22. If I lack the education, I am not trusted because I am unqualified; however, if I have the education, I am not trusted because I am supposedly biased. Ironically, I have found many people give more credibility to those who have less qualifications. This person example illustrates a broader point. We are more likely to elect leaders "who are like the average guy" rather than ones that those most qualified to solve our most difficult problems. In a country where knowledge is seen as a weakness, how can we hope to succeed?
I will admit that the Obama-Biden candidacy gives me some hope. I believe Obama to be sincere in his desire to bring change to Washington, but I remain skeptical whether or not he (or anyone) can truly do it in a place where the political parties are deadlocked and there is no respect for talent. As for McCain, I used to like him, but he seems to have drifted away from the Maverick he once was and his tendency to be bellicose and treat war as casually as he does gives me serious reservations.
I suppose by this post, people can call me an "elitist" just like they call Obama. Nonetheless, I am who I am and I feel no need to be ashamed of it. Just because I might not "be able to relate to the ordinary Joe Six-Pack" does not make me unpatriotic. America must be restored. I just wish I knew what I could do to help.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Introduction
Greetings, my name is Brian. I am a scientist/engineer from Wisconsin. I am really into the use of computers to simulate physical phenomena and my current work is with radiation transport. In addition to science, I am interested in broad area of topics, especially ones with regards to the future of humanity and how technology and society interact. One day I would like to be a writer; most of my current writing is focused in the technical areas at the moment. Otherwise, this blog will be my general repository for thoughts on whatever issue I choose to write about at the time.
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