Politicians often make decisions that have an impact on science, but because they usually lack basic scientific literacy, they really don't have an understanding of the scope involved in these decisions. In his new book, Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America, filmmaker and science advocate Shawn Lawrence Otto argues that scientists need to become more engaged in the political realm and politicians need to have a better scientific understanding in order to make more informed decisions.
Among at least one Republican candidates for president, there is some concern about whether this science antagonism is good for their party, let alone the country as a whole. In his book, Otto explains how scientific ignorance on both the left and right ends of the political spectrum are leading to decisions which are based more on ideology than on fact-based evidence. In order to solve the significant challenges our country will face in the years ahead, we must invoke a solid understanding of science.
Otto's argument goes beyond mere pragmatism, though, making the case that the anti-authoritarian nature of scientific thinking is fundamentally and ideologically tied into the character of American democracy.?This book is a critical values check and should be required reading for every American politician ... and citizen.
You can find out more about the book by reading our full review.
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