On Science and the Obama Administration

If you like to worry about things, you might be having the time of your life. We've got a financial crisis, which is part and parcel with a mortgage crisis and an employment crisis. We've got Human Immunodeficiency Viruses. We've got cancer. We have pure corruption creating filthy water, starvation diets, and fundamentally horrible living conditions for billions of our fellow humans.

Then, we've got climate change, which may indeed kill almost of all us in the next couple of centuries. Worse yet, climate change may lead to the inadvertent dismantling of our remarkable infrastructure. No means of feeding most of us may lead to no means of making electricity for most of us, and that might very well lead to the destruction of our electronic information storage facilities -- our libraries. Now, that would be serious. It would be like the destruction of the great Library of Alexandria around the first century, only we won't need any scared-crazy emperors or other dark forces to do it; everyone will be responsible.

Grim as all this sounds (or reads), as Barack Obama begins his administration with his lovely family alongside, I find myself as a science educator, not just relieved, but downright, maybe upright, optimistic. All of the problems I just mentioned are, at their cores, science problems. If you want to cure a disease, feed a population, or educate and thereby raise the living standard of women in matters that are universally true and real, you need to embrace the process of science. President-elect Obama, in contrast with his predecessor, is fundamentally in favor of science. This is the best news possible, not just for niche workers like me, but for everyone.

If you think about it, well, even if you don't, the President of the United States, for better or for worse, affects every species on Earth. Oh, there might be a seafaring virus living on or around deep sea scalding-water vents, that is unconcerned. But if you're an elephant, a whale, a robust fly, who vectors some exquisitely-evolved misery-causing virus, a tree growing in the shifting borderlands of your species, or an African girl finding her way in school as best she can, you are affected by what the United States does and therewith what this president does. It's real and serious.

Science, more succinctly the process of science, is the best idea humans have ever had. It is the way that we come to know the natural world we're part of. Our ability to observe and understand causes and effects in nature has led to our ability to feed billions, map the world, shape cities, forecast weather on Mars -- and to dream. We, like no species we know of, understand a little bit of what makes the Universe go 'round. Science is empowering like nothing else.

For years, scientists, enlightened engineers, entrepreneurs, and anyone concerned with the future have worried as the United States' science has waned. Science had been marginalized, regarded as another special interest. But actually, science is of the broadest interest, the most inclusive discipline there is. Everyone is a scientist at heart by way of her and his ability to reason.

At last, we will have a president, who understands the value of investing in science and especially science and math education. With a scientifically literate society, we can bring the United States up to its full potential -- and it is a great potential. The President-elect speaks often of change. He's right; we need it, and he's right; we can bring it about. I am excited indeed for the new days ahead. Congratulations Mr. President. Welcome to Washington (my home town). Let's change the world.

Comments

[rep-hater22]

Nye is right in most respects...There is one big thing standing in the way of scientific progress though…and no it is not the Evangelical Christians, though they try very hard to get in the way (they don’t think in terms of logic)...

It’s the monetary system; science research companies are keeping everything they discover a secret for the purpose of profit (in hopes of making the big discovery first). All new advancements are being held from release because it may compromise the company. Unfortunately in a time when scientific discovery is absolutely crucial capitalism stands in the way. Well if were lucky maybe the Chinese will figure out how to solve global warming or cure cancer…but it’s not likely to happen in America because profit based research never cooperates.

[KillTheMessenger]

There is no such thing as a "science research company". Science is what you do at universities and tax payer funded research labs to advance the knowledge of mankind. All of that knowledge is publicly available. Your librarian can help you to access it.

In contrast privately funded research organizations, OTOH, are always goal directed R&D FOR PROFIT. Bell Labs (AT&T labs), HP labs, SRI etc. all do research for one reason and one reason only: to make money. They do not publish most of their results and they protect their economically valuable IP with patents.

Two very different types of environments which have only one thing in common: they both use the scientific method and the both employ scientists. But their funding is different and so is their mission. To expect that the much larger and better funded private research arena gives their results away for free is naive. They paid for them and they own them. If you want to own this knowledge, you need to shell out as much money as they do. In practical terms it would mean to expand science funding tenfold. If you are willing as a taxpayer to go there, scientists will be more than willing to share all of their results with you.

[dapperd72]

Bill's remarks here are right on target, eloquent and perfectly appropriate. I'm also a fan of your "Stuff Happens" show on Planet Green Channel as I admire your witty, informative style. Despite my specific disagreements with Obama, his election is a gigantic breath of fresh air after 8 years of an unelected pseudo-President who has always emphasized creationism over evolution since he was Texas Governor and would prefer the Flat Earth Society over admitting that global warming, pollution and the petro-chemical industry are critical problems that the human species must resolve. Obama's choice for Energy Secretary, a Nobel Laureate in his field, reflects his commitment to a literate society that understand and appreciates the gravity of science in daily life. Obama won't be a perfect President, but at least his Cabinet choices pertaining to your field of expertise of science build a solid foundation for a somewhat healthier society from an academic standpoint. I will finally say Good Riddance to the entire illegal Bush regime when they finally leave on January 20, but I sincerely hope Obama's Justice Department will not allow them to get away without thorough criminal prosecution for all their heinous offenses against the American people along with Mother Earth.

[moAb]

Science suggests the earth is about 4.5 to 5 billion years old. On the other hand, two English preachers in the mid 1800s began a duel of sorts regarding the age of the earth. One derived the age of the earth by counting all the begats and so on in the Bible, OT and NT, and came up with a number that was less than 10,000. His competitor down the road decided to not be out done and came up with his own count that yielded a number for the sermon the next Sunday. He went even lower. This continued for some time resulting in results nearer 5,000 years than 10,000 years, Ironically, scholars of original works on the matter believe (though not all do apparently) that the translation for 'years' as in Genesis of the OT should have been translated to something more along the lines of 'eon'. An eon is a very long time indeed and allows for an almost infinite number of begats, if one is still interested in counting.

[ProudMormon]

Obama is great with the lip service, but science doesn't need lip service it needs money.

And based on Obama's own campaign rhetoric, it looks like almost all science is going to continue to wither on the vine without any more money for years to come.

Sure, there will be a few "buzzword" flavors of science that will get some cash. Maybe some green tech science, or some global warming science. But some that he pays lip service to, like ES cell research, will likely end up fighting for a small slice of a stagnant or shrinking pie.

And as much as academic science needs money, science education needs serious reform. Again, Obama plays lip service to education. But then when you look at what he actually claims to support, it's almost ludicrous. Universal pre-k? Pre-pre-pre-k? Studies have proven over and over again that this stuff has no long term educational benefit whatsoever. It's feel-good bunk. He completely neglects K-12, which is the front lines of the problem.

And then after leapfrogging K-12, he then wants universal college. So, we herd more and more incompetent students into a college level system that is struggling to educate the ones it has now. Again, the feel-good (and VERY expensive) rhetoric doesn't pass the smell test.

[GoodwithWood]

Yup. You definitely are a Mormon.

[KillTheMessenger]

Right on... but it is by no means clear that the Obama administration can fix a system that is so broken at the core as the US school system. Until we actually see science literacy increase in this country, and that will take two decades or more, we will continue to be at risk of a second neocon revolution where ideology is given preference over reality.

[Clavis]

It's true. I went to NYC public schools from 1975-1988, and the science curriculum was awful. The classes were all geared towards the Regents (standardized) exams, there was very little money for any experiments or demonstrations, the teachers were overwhelmed and undertrained... I might've become a scientist myself if my science classes hadn't been so boring and discouraging... it took years on my own, and the work of such people as Gould, Sagan, and yes, Nye, to get me really interested in science again.

This is a problem that has been developing for decades. We can make progress, no doubt, but it will take a long time to recover from it... IF we ever do (and right-wing propagandists and Bible-thumpers aren't making it any easier!).

[dgscol]

I applaud Mr Nye for promoting science without inditing the wscientists, but... the main problem with science is not the fault of politicians alone, the scientific community, aside from Mr Nye, is also corrupted and may have been for many years. Their activities are unchecked, and their participants, unscreened.

The Scientific community is contamiinated with people having their own political agenda, from foreign interests supported by faculty (often from or related to peeople from those countries), to industrial interests. It is amazing the government has done little to stop this since the Manhattan Project.

The latest fiascos, to add to the historical record with things such as phrenology, is myth of the humanly caused ozone hole, and now we also have the amazingly stupid myth of human-induced GLobal Warming. This kind of stuff hurts the integrity of science, rahter than making it appear to be more socially aware.

Where are the sceintsts to tell us about over-population? Where are the scientists to tell us of environmental degradation? Very spotty concern. There are many, though, supporting climate concerns and the utilization of expensive satellite systems.. Our scientists are cowards, chalkboard stuntmen for the most part, - afraid of their own shadow and ignorance.

[KillTheMessenger]

If you want to "check" the science community, I invite you to get an advanced degree, publish significant papers and then become a reviewer for a major science journal. All it takes is a lifelong dedication to increase the world's knowledge. Of course, shooting your mouth off at a blog is a lot easier than passing a science class.

[samiam4285]

Seriously! My mouth dropped open as I read that comment, if not for any other reason than it completely contradicts itself several times. I particularly like this:

"Where are the sceintsts to tell us about over-population? Where are the scientists to tell us of environmental degradation? Very spotty concern. There are many, though, supporting climate concerns and the utilization of expensive satellite systems.. Our scientists are cowards, chalkboard stuntmen for the most part, - afraid of their own shadow and ignorance."

I think my question in reply would be, "Have you been living under a rock for the past decade?"

As you said, it is all well and good to criticize a system of which your comments actually show you know nothing about, but how about actually trying to get the degree, do the research yourself, and make an impact?

[Overd0g]

It will be interesting to see what science he ignores and which he pays attention to. And whether he's capable of performing a reasonable cost/benefit analysis. Remember the future is uncertain; the end is always near.

[CellarDoor]

Bill Nye, you are my hero.

Science is COOL!!!!!

[ScienceLady]

I love you, you sexy nerd!
...more reason, more hope...

[Lulubelle1]

I love you, Bill Nye the Science Guy!

Barack Obama has inspired that same sense of relief and optimism in me, and I'm thrilled to know that you share my and so many others' anticipation for his term. All rational people are heaving a sigh of relief at the outcome of this election, and are looking forward to a more fact-based, empirical decision-making process over the next four (fingers crossed for 8 or more) years.

[melmoid]

As a retired science teacher and scientist in industry, I too am a little optimistic. However I fear that that the anti-intellectual religious zealots will prevent any real resurgence of genuine science education at least in most of our public schools. Most biology teachers are afraid to teach evolution as it is and more than a few of them are actually creationists themselves.

[missbliss]

I really couldn't agree with him more on his belief that science:
[quote]... is of the broadest interest, the most inclusive discipline there is. Everyone is a scientist at heart by way of her and his ability to reason.[/quote]

nice article.

[moAb]

Agreed. Science is..."the orderly acquisition of knowledge."

[oneklj4u]

Wonderful article and I'm so very pleased to see Bill Nye on Huff Post. Looking forward to many more blogs. I'm a huge fan of his show called "Stuff Happens". It's on Planet Green and it is a very enlightening and fun show.

[JulieSA]

"We've got Human Immunodeficiency Viruses...We have pure corruption creating filthy water, starvation diets, and fundamentally horrible living conditions for billions of our fellow humans."

Mr. Nye, if you weren't so far gone in partisan politics, you would've encouraged Obama to continue this work:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1717934,00.html

"It is some story. And I have always wondered why it was never told properly to the American people, who were paying for it. It was, for example, Bush who initiated the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) with cross-party support led by Senators John Kerry and Bill Frist. In 2003, only 50,000 Africans were on HIV antiretroviral drugs — and they had to pay for their own medicine. Today, 1.3 million are receiving medicines free of charge. The U.S. also contributes one-third of the money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria — which treats another 1.5 million. It contributes 50% of all food aid (though some critics find the mechanism of contribution controversial). On a seven-day trip through Africa, Bush announced a fantastic new $350 million fund for other neglected tropical diseases that can be easily eradicated; a program to distribute 5.2 million mosquito nets to Tanzanian kids; and contracts worth around $1.2 billion in Tanzania and Ghana from the Millennium Challenge Account, another initiative of the Bush Administration."

[wolfmanman]

All true, but placing abstinence-only education at the head of his AIDS agenda (which all scientific studies and surveys has show either inconclusive or ineffective) and denying funds to any pro-choice or even "your-choice" organizations does not exactly scream "pro-rational solutions".

[JulieSA]

That is an oft-repeated myth. It's NOT abstinence only. It does include condom education. And increasing the number of people on anti-HIV meds from 50,000 to 2 million (that's the latest figure) is a remarkable AIDS achievement no matter what myths you try to perpetuate.

[Chrisallalone]

Who's partisan? Nye wasn't talking about Bush at all in the quote you cite. Neither the existence of HIV nor the corruption of overseas leaders is a partisan issue in US politics.

The works you cite, while truly laudable, are not on point at all with this article. They do nothing to disprove the contention that President Bush wasn't fundamentally in favor of science, as PE Obama appears to be. Unless you can factually say that Bush supported scientific thought in American life, then the only partisanship here is the defense of Bush on the basis that he actually did a good thing.

[vigilantwarrior]

"Everyone is a scientist at heart by way of her and his ability to reason."

And if that "ability to reason" has been impaired?

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
- Voltaire

http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2008/08/20/the-ghost-in-the-machines-the-mystery-of-the-wtc-hard-drive-recoveries/