The Media Just Doesn't Get Science

I've always suspected that the medias' pandering to the lowest common denominator is in fact due to ulterior motives.

You Wrote:"Ultimately, though, since we're a democracy, it's not really the media, it's us, the voters, who choose how to allocate our tax dollars, so I blame myself, for not convincing my fellow citizens to spend more on science, more than I blame the media."

You make a good point. The media seems like it's more a symptom of the problem rather than the problem.

Technically, we are a republic. Thus taxation is decided by elected representatives, not directly by voters.

Hi RCE - Agreed - a republican form of democracy - no King or Queen of America, but a democracy still, where the voters have some say - and responsibility - in the formation of tax policy for science. Not perfect, but a better system, in my humble, than what came before in history. Some might argue things in your state, California, are more democratic for the voting public than in other states in our union, including my Empire one, since you have ballot initiatives there. But the outcomes of those initiatives don't please everyone. - Larry

Totally agree. In fact, other than Mr. Wizard, Bill Nye, Neil Tyson, LeVar Burton, TED and Mythbusters I can't think of any TV celebrity that both understood and promoted science.

Sad really, especially for the masses who form their perception of the world around what's on TV.

The good thing is MSM is dying and the internet is fast becoming the medium of choice. Where one actually has a choice.

Those Mythbusters guys are good people though. Neil Tyson too.

ROGER PINK,

The topic you have brought in is of critical importance as regard to the status and accountability of R & D investments say whether federal or private. Your opinion discloses the declining rate of fundings to science and technologies which could lead to worsened future, if not taken care of. The other major cause propagating this trend is the lack of effectiveness of value generated out of massive research fundings. I tried my postings twice , but the sudden power failures faced, erased my typed stuff. Today I perseverantly got myself set for the marathon reply.

FACTORS FOR INEFFECTIVE OUTCOMES:

• Science & technology and life styles are all improving, but the human race is yet to behave as total superior beings- we have not given up our racial comparisons, taken any firm steps to solve perennial global issues, mutual uplift, international understandings. Developed countries are so for very generous in equipping the under developed countries, there seems to be many lost links in accomplishing this.
• When so many issues on the planet like population, environmental degradation, resources sharing, energy and fuel related issues, meeting of basic needs and employments etc, the insecurity problems, race for global supremacy, huge military and defence expenses are major fund eaters without a positive outcome.
• The responsible positive diversion and themes of research focus in my humble and genuine opinion could be in the following areas for which result oriented outcomes, technologies and global implementations are due. Balanced water distribution, artificial rain water storages, land allocations and reformations wrto to priority for agriculture and industrialization and restrictions to urbanization,restoration of nature, all land, air, water and major pollution issues and abatement strategies, Sustainable development in all walks of activities and judicial use of resources on the planet, balanced resources sharings, stronger and effective international regulations and practices,green energy resources, carbon abatement and a life of discipline and values. Research in all dimensions like appropriate science and technologies, policies by way of international co operation and contribution and involvement got to be triggered on.Well it could be a greedy dream , but a positive focus could be worth considering.
• The lethargic average human tendencies. Many humans find a settled and assured means of life and carry on with the happy life and materialistic life styles with least concern to contribute. Blaming is the best defence, humans find shelter in case of questions on accountability and responsibility. Many countries do have mind sets that, let somebody else develop , we then will timely adapt it and no risk of R& D. In fact a country with people of efforts,responsibility and generosity and originality of intellectuality, motivated by noble and sharp leadership could thrive well and contribute in this direction.
• Incompatibilities between policy makers and scientists and lack of empathy and fund allocations for appropriate ventures.
• Well having collectively taken up research tasks, the other major blockade is the ineffectiveness of the researchers/ the teams. Any thing by government lacks the seriousness and ends up mere prolonging report and data submissions and not of any concrete outputs. This is some thing connected to the human teams including strategic leaders, who should demand and inspire contributions and results oriented performance –" PLAY WELL OR QUIT THE GAME" policies. The private sector is reasonably much better performer in this aspect, since it is the game of survival for them.
• Another major set back leading to fund digestion is the OVER expenditure and mega investment in infrastructure build up. High cost research activities can be diverted to low cost simulation researches based on performance studies so as to proceed on a clear cut fashion. Involvement and choice of human based on merit and capability is the major delivery factor. A panel of external critics and strategic guidance could improve line of direction.
• Strangely, the commitment, determination,and a sense of responsibility and total risk is concerned- the INDIVIDUAL factor had been historically proven to be more productive than groups. Good leaders as individuals had developed countries. The self motivated scientists and inventors [EDISON, CURIE,BENJOMEN FRANKLIN and many more by whose dedication we stand today ] have contributed more-The fact being - INDEPENDENT RESEARCH GIVES TOTAL FREEDOM AS WELL AS RESPONSIBILITY. The conducive and harmonious group and collective brain work is a major result yielding factor. Mind is much powerful than money.
• The citizen factor is not an external entity as mere spectator and commentator-in fact should volunteer for good causes and render contributions
• The fast phase of changes, long term vision are to kept in mind .
• SCIENCE AND TECHNOLGY IS NOT A ONE DAY'S DELIVERY-it is the hard earned experience and inheritance of our responsible elders who meant goodwill for the next generations and no doubt the present generation got to follow the same line of magnanimity of vision and thought and not problems to future generations.
• If this goodwill and reformation is not part our culture faculty ,we may be responsible to get blamed .
• Every humans irrespective of country, race ,religion should harness this ideal , education and all societies should groom this global brotherhood, a happy and serene earth-a life of meaningfulness, due for all beings.

Thank you Roger Pink for starting such an interesting and obviously controversial topic for discussion. The resulting comments were very surprising and showed how much fear, phobias, prejudice, miss-trust, miss-informed and conspiracy theorists are out there. It is amazing that we as a species have survived this long.

I know that becoming an inventor/engineer was the right thing for me. I still believe that one person can make a difference. It takes all kinds to make the world go round but I know I could definitely not work with people. We are our own worst enemies. Give me an idea, laboratory and some gadgets any time.

"Whether you say you can or you can't, either way you are right" by Joseph Murphy, the Power of the Subconscious Mind.

I myself make a distinction between working with people, and working for people.

Most of us really are three people.

-adult parent and child, in one. Anyway, what we do on CR4 is a participatory media, similar to SW radio nets.

So right here right now there is evidence that some Media, "get science".

Your quote strikes at the conundrum that demands you believe in more than the facts.