Science Advocacy

We all owe a tremendous debt to science and technology, perhaps a bigger debt than most realize. At the turn of the 20^th century, the average worldwide life expectancy was just 31 years. Today, that number is 67.2 years. In the US, we’re up to  78.3 years, and its up to 82.6 years in Japan. Why? The answer is simple and without question: science and technology. Basic understanding of infectious disease transmission?  Check.  Antibiotics and vaccinations? Yup. Engineering controls to prevent disease transmissions (sewers, mosquito control)? Absolutely. Evolving understanding of  the genetic and nutritional etiology of chronic diseases? Certainly. Advanced safety engineering (food/drug sterilization, transportation safety, etc…). Awesome.

And yet, it sometimes seems like scientists and engineers are treated as second class citizens when important public policy discussions emerge in the US. The highly regulated animal research that was critical to extending those life expectancy figures is under attack as “unethical.” People are refusing vaccinations for reasons no one seems to understand. Politicians find it acceptable to openly question the results of experts in the field for their own political gains (global warming). There is an entire museum in Kentucky dedicated to creationism. How did this happen?

In part, the answer is that scientists have not done a very good job of engaging the public and explaining our fields. Actually, we tend to suck at it. Sure, there are some that have done a good job, but for every Jared Diamond, Rachel Carson, Neil deGrasse Tyson, or Bill Nye, there are many who look down upon the general populace – regarding them as too poorly educated to understand what we have learned. They are not willing to expend the time and effort to inform and influence. Big mistake, egg-head.

As our science and technology builds upon itself and becomes increasingly complicated, it becomes harder and harder to communicate the work we do and the consequences of those findings to non-scientists. The majority of persons on this earth are not scientists or engineers. The actions and beliefs of non-scientists is what shapes our world. If we ignore them, and condescend to them by saying, “you wouldn’t understand,” it’s going to end poorly for all involved.

The purpose of this blog is to advocate for evidence-based science. We want to spread the word on the current state of scientific knowledge in a manner that non-scientists can easily understand. We will provide in depth discussions of modern scientific issues from experts, and provide links to other useful sites. We’ll also try to make it fun, when we can. Got a science-related question? Feel free to post in the comments section below or e mail. Don’t agree with the science or logic of a post? Drop us a line. We are always open to new ideas supported by data – that is how science works, after all….