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Sophia_Ginis
Sophia_Ginis
Policy Challenges
Sep 5 2008, 4:25 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 5 2008, 4:25 PM EDT
What is the most important issue for you in terms of science and technology policy? 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
Keyword tags: poll

anadem
1. RE: Policy Challenges
Sep 19 2008, 1:04 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 19 2008, 1:04 PM EDT
"What is the most important issue for you in terms of science and technology policy? "
Sophia and Science debate wiki,

I feel that the most important Policy Challenge that US now faces is the Space Policy challenge. US is directly responsible for the creation of a large part of our modern Space based accumen , in particular for the advanced technologies of communications , and for the information and computational skills that are changing our world . Near space is the universal medium within which so much of our capacity to deal with the many formidable problems we face is unfolding . But US space policy is behind the curve, instead of focusing for international space and earth development agendas , US space policy has been mostly undertaken within many isolated security interests, which not only stifle innovation for co-operative space based agendas , but which also give the larger part of US space and technology investments into unobtainable and discrete funding agencies . US should open out the space development paradigm through the generation of an original , active and "utilization" based Space Treaty for ratification by the international community . Such outreach would speak for US leadership, provide much support for US technological and economic expansion and offer the wold a blueprint for a future
" Information Age " paradigm , devoted to not only global security themes but also to technology based planetary development and oversight and provision for all types of civil society representation within information based e-government facilities . Some more information on this needed and worthwhile US public policy initiative can be found at www.spacetreaty .com. Of course ISST proposal is a preliminary one still finding outreach for an innovative style of US Space and Information based leadership is a priority for an incoming administration . The space policy topic informs so many valuable aspects for a worthwhile US future direction and for compatible international relations.

Amalie

1  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    

DanRogers
2. RE: Policy Challenges
Sep 19 2008, 5:07 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 19 2008, 5:07 PM EDT
The global warming hoax is a very important matter that presents us with science and technology policy decisions seriously affecting the ability of the United States to utilize our energy resources sensibly.

The hypothesis that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, at less than four hundred parts per million, has a controlling influence on climate is being foisted on the public as proven fact. It is in fact not true, and if we continue believing that it IS true we will waste a lot of time, energy and resources that could and should be expended on other, real problems. 2  out of 11 found this valuable. Do you?    

JessicaSchaum
3. RE: Policy Challenges
Sep 19 2008, 7:48 PM EDT | Post edited: Sep 19 2008, 7:48 PM EDT
Even if someone doesn't believe in global warming, it doesn't mean that science and technology discussions about our consumption of energy resources should disappear.
Dan mentioned using them sensibly, which is all I can hope for... There is still a need for personal responsibility when it comes to consuming energy on this planet, and I would argue that the US government has been pretty reluctant to act in a comprehensive way regarding climate change. Even in Minnesota, lawmakers could not support the Clean Cars bill last session. Lawmakers don't seem overly anxious to speak out about changing our American way of life.

I would argue that global warming and the consequences of sea level rise, global food production, and access to clean water are the "real problems" that resources should be expended on.... and we probably need substantial science and technology policies to get at those issues. 7  out of 7 found this valuable. Do you?    
Dana_Davis
Dana_Davis
4. RE: Policy Challenges
Sep 23 2008, 11:51 AM EDT | Post edited: Sep 23 2008, 11:51 AM EDT
Personally, I think the most important issue in terms of science (and thus technology) is restoring the position of science in society. Science as a field has been stolen by those who wish to make a policy decision first and then back up the decision with "science" that supports their preconceived position. It should be science that drives the policy decision.

Science has been a long respected area in American society. I see that changing as influential members distort and twist science as a means to an end. It is easy to hear about the vast number of scientists who buy into intelligent design (not true), the abstinence only sex education works (not true), that global warming is a hoax (not true). When society as a whole sees facts as opinion and long discounted ideas as viable theories, we have a problem.

I was at a department of education meeting last night listening to critiques/concerns about the first draft of the K-12 science standards. I was struck by the concerns about preparing our students to be strong in science and technology to compete in the world of the 21st century. At the same time, a school board in NC is planning to teach creationism, the state of LA passed an Orwellian "academic freedom bill," our governor tells Tom Brokaw that intelligent design should be taught alongside evolution, and a candidate for vice president is a supporter of young earth creationism and believes the end of the world is upon us. The disconnect between many people and a significant number of the policy makers is palpable. Sadly, I am aware that many people in the US support these viewpoints, hence the policy makers have power. This is the greatest challenge and issue in science/technology in the US today. 6  out of 6 found this valuable. Do you?    

saroo
5. RE: Policy Challenges
Oct 7 2008, 4:18 PM EDT | Post edited: Oct 7 2008, 4:18 PM EDT

I feel that we have lost our sense of purpose in studying science. It has become more of a vehicle
for pursuing other interests - be it spreading your gospel, racking up publications or making money.
It would be worthwhile to re-examine the writings of science philosophers and historians (Bronowski,
Gordon Brown, etc) to define what the role/mission of science is, what its limitations are, and how it should advise social and economic policy. 4  out of 4 found this valuable. Do you?