O.K. So, the Earth Day March for Science was last month. You might think this post is late. While I’m not a timely, topical blogger, I prefer to think of this entry as another reminder of the importance of science. It should not be a one-day-a-year remembrance. It’s too important…too fundamental to our success as a nation and our survival as a planet.
Images and More Science Editor at the Rally (22 April 2017)
I was never a protester or marcher, unfortunately. I’m certainly not short on opinions and positions but I guess I had more excuses than reasons for not protesting more openly. When I see how the new government is threatening to undo so much of what science has done for our health and welfare, I had to get off my ass and join the crowed. I’m a scientist after all…or was one once.
It was not a nice day. Instead of sunny and pleasant, the gods gave us chilly and wet. Umbrellas and slickers were the fashion of the day. Many of the people had signs…some were quite clever. Many were happy to be photographed. I’m sure the ones featured here are thrilled to know they are now being seen by my tens of faithful readers around the globe.
March for Science, Washington, D.C. (22 April 2017)
In these days of polarization and fundamentalism, I most appreciate science’s profound objectivity. As much as the hard-right evangelical types like to portray it as a competing religion when they rail against ‘Darwin-ism’ and ‘Evolution-ism’, it’s all about nothing more than provable facts, not myth or dogma or scripture. Facts that matter to all of us.
What a scientist delivers is not based on any pre-condition beyond what has been shown so far. She introduces the study or experiment and states what she is trying to learn. The methods used are clearly described and the results report what is found. Whatever is discovered or concluded is there for anyone else to reproduce and confirm or refute with better methods and experimental design. That is how knowledge advances…knowledge that is turned into safer products, new technologies and life-saving treatments. That has to be worth doing…more than the next ‘
Bridge to Nowhere’ or a few more cruise missiles.
March for Science, Washington, D.C. (22 April 2017)
It was an impressive gathering despite the lousy weather. People were still streaming into the rally grounds as we were leaving. Truth be told, we had a commitment later that day so there was no actual marching to the capitol to shake our signs at the people who want to slash science programs from as many segments of government funding that they can find.
March for Science, Washington, D.C. (22 April 2017)
For those of you who don’t go back to the Civil Rights Era marches, there was a popular call-and-response chant then –
What do we want? – FREEDOM!
When do we want it? – NOW!
I have to admire the geeky/nerdy spin today’s scientists put on it now –
What do we want? – EVIDENCE-BASED POLICIES!
When to we want it? – AFTER PEER REVIEW!
Right on.
