>This is starting to sound like Asimov's Meritocracy branch of power. But how would a Meritocracy play in a time when even pronouncing the names of foreign countries correctly gets you labeled an elitist? The Right has sold America on the idea that anyone with a good education and the ability to think critically is an "elitist" who couldn't possibly understand the problems of soccer moms and joe six pack. What would they think of a council of scientists, most of whom probably believe the earth is more than six thousand years old and even in *gasp* evolution?
Olin ----- Original Message ----- From: Claes Wallin<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 8:43 AM Subject: Re: On Topic shocker! Olin Elliott wrote: >> For one thing, politicians will tend to choose science advisers who tell them >> what they want to hear, *especially* if the advisers are organized into a >> body that has any sort of transparency. > > What if the members of the council were somehow chosen by the professional associations of various disciplines? If they were nominated by their scientific pears and elected by practicing scientists? This is starting to sound like Asimov's Meritocracy branch of power. Just to add to the shock of on-topic discussion. /c _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l<http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l> _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
