RE: paleonet Re: time for gloves to come off

["Dr. Lisa E. Park" <lepark@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear Ed-

Well, as you probably already know, most of the current ID stuff is coming
out of a well-funded think-tank in Seattle called the Discovery Institute.
Although evolution is their current target, many people have suggested that
their real strategy is political and social conservatism.  I think that the
DI started out as a "progressive" group with an almost libertarian bent, but
have "evolved" (sorry) into a more right-wing venue for a lot of
conservative ideas.  They don't do scientific research as far as I can tell,
but they have very deep pockets and, being in a think-tank, nothing else to
do other than to further their cause.

Apparently, this is what a lot of the conservatives did in the 70's, 80's
and 90's: began think tanks to develop their ideas and they were put into
play during various campaigns.  The 1994 Contract With America came about
this way.

So, to answer your question, I am not sure what we can do to fend off these
attacks.  The NCSE does a great job, but they are David to the mighty
Goliath when it comes to trying to counter all of this.  On the other hand,
look what one soldier's mother (Cindy Sheehan) did to bring a greater
awareness to the Iraq war.  We can never discount the power of a single
individual to change the world.  However, more often than not, it is a
critical mass that makes a movement.  Unfortunately, the religious right in
America are just that at the moment.  I think that convincing people that
attacking evolution is attacking all of science and that our country is
slipping in math and science, which may, in 5-10 years, have extreme
detrimental effects on our economy and way of life, has been an effective
argument to some who might normally support ID or not care one way or
another.  I think that that is what Peter was trying to get at in his op/ed:
our society's future is completely reliant on scientific and technological
advancement.  With China graduating 600,000 engineers (and 1,000,000
geologists) every year, you really have to wonder what the global economy
will look like in a few years. [mind you, China and India have their own
social and political problems that might hinder them; we just don't know].

Lisa

-----Original Message-----
From: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk [mailto:paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk]On
Behalf Of Ed Venit
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2005 2:34 PM
To: paleonet@nhm.ac.uk
Subject: RE: paleonet Re: time for gloves to come off



> "Today, creationist pseudoscience is the largest threat to science in the
> United States.  Creationists are well organized, numerous, fervent, and
> energetic--and they are winning...."


How do we respond to this?  Why aren't we as organized as they are?

I'm a 5th year evoluntionary theory grad student.  I've occasionally
considered forgoing a research postdoc to instead find some position where
I can help counter anti-science movements.  Where should I be looking?  I
know about the NCSE, are there other similarly motivated organizations out
there?  Are there any other young scientists on this list who are feeling
the same call to action that I am?

As a broader question, in your opinion, what do scientists need to do to
better organize ourselves for this fight?  Letter writing is not going to
be enough in the end.  What more can we do?