Let's get politics out of science.

Earth Day : March for and Celebration of Science

          I haven't been in a public demonstration for a while. I suspect most plan to be in Lincoln, NE as Kearney is a rather sleepy little town. We shall see.

          Science is not political and should not be used as (a) political weapon. Science is knowledge. However, science is being threatened by governments at home and abroad. The mischaracterization of science as a partisan issue, which has given policymakers the ability to reject and disregard scientific evidence, is a critical and urgent matter. It is time for people who support scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a stand.

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riverlover's picture

Vying for grant money (that is what will be disappearing some more, along with RESPECT) was always, at least in my time) a lab-against-lab competition that was not always friendly. Cards played close in competitive areas. I was in one, once.

I am glad to be out now. Last job we had intra-lab competition, I was a loser. Bad feelings about that one.

March in Ithaca, I had planned on going, but a cast to my knee, very painful, precludes. With you all in spirit.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

PriceRip's picture

@riverlover

          He was convinced that I would not be able to get any (academic) interviews let alone any job offers. He kept giving me slips of papers listing industrial contacts. He even took my wife out to a fancy restaurant to soften the blow as he explained that I would return from the Chicago Meeting depressed from lack of developing any prospective offers.

          I tried to explain why I would never work in a corporate research laboratory. He was never able to understand.

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thanatokephaloides's picture

@riverlover

Politics has always been in science. Vying for grant money (that is what will be disappearing some more, along with RESPECT) was always, at least in my time) a lab-against-lab competition that was not always friendly.

This is why, even in our age of massively funded, hideously expensive scientific laboratories, the amateur scientist is still indispensable. Amateurs pursue science from a pure desire for knowledge, usually to satisfy some curiosity or other. Grant money seldom enters into it, if ever. And rather than brutal competition, amateurs more often co-operate, to pool the available (scarce) resources.

Moreover, they still come up with original material which the "big boys and girls" don't, making actual contributions to the sum of humanity's knowledge.

Smile

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

What's the point? Since February 15th, 2003 when Bush the Lesser said these words a few days after the largest protest march in world history:

... you know, size of protest, it’s like deciding, well, I’m going to decide policy based upon a focus group.

That's a clue how effective passive marches are to TPTB. ~shrug~ Yet another focus group, it never ends. Feel my unitay! /cartman
https://www.democracynow.org/2003/2/20/peace_protests_continue_despite_president_bushs

Marches haven't changed policy in decades, or am I missing something? Used to work in a fully functioning democracy, but that's not what we have here, is it? Oligarchy is about money, driving a car to an anti anti-science protest won't help the climate one bit, not now. So how about trying something like non-violent direct action? Be disruptive in every-day acts, interfere with corporate profit by withholding it, for a change.

Thanks.

Edit: LOL oops, "know your audience" mistake. This 'splains the division. Low-wage to LTE kinda virtually homeless.

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PriceRip's picture

@eyo

          Hello @eyo , if you knew me you wouldn't ask that question unless you really wanted an answer. Ah, but time is running out, and I need to go do a favor for a new friend, so I will provide a bit of "What's the point?" when I return.

          Have a nice day.

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@PriceRip and that is why I asked because I thought you might not take it personally, very sorry if it pinched. My mistake.

Have a nice day.

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PriceRip's picture

@eyo

          The Earth Day March went well. Some good natured interactions with drivers and other passersby along the route. We passed by one person that repeatedly stated "People can't solves Earth's problems." we were all a bit amused and very confused by this comment. I have no knowledge as to whether anyone stopped of talk to this rather confusing (or maybe confused) guy.

          I had the opportunity to reconnect with some kindred spirits, and listen as young and old describe why science is important to them. I think the best speech was from the eight year old that said: Science is important because it made phones, and don't you like having a phone. The crowd enthusiastically agreed. The one that hit closest to home was the college student that explained she would not have survived her first twenty-four hours without modern medicine.

          So, what is the point of all this?

          One of those in attendance now has a note containing www.caucus99percent.com, and he made it clear he will be checking us out. You may not be aware that all the talk about the democratic party is not about The Democratic Party because (at least here) the democratic party is composed of individuals that are interested in actually accomplishing various goals (some to my liking, some not so much). The local spark-plug (that would be the "real" leader, not the "named" leader) is incredibly likable, respected, and could fit in very nicely at www.caucus99percent.com, so be nice if he stops by to say 'hi', okay?

          Buffalo county is number nine five (pop. stats from years ago online) of ninety-three, so while taking over the democratic party in this county is not a real big thing on the scale of things it is rather satisfying that, at least here, there is a real (stealthy) progressive, left, or whatever you prefer, party operating in very Red Nebraska. Oh, and he was happy to see us, even if we are defecting to the West Coast.

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earthling1's picture

@eyo

CREDEXIT.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

@earthling1 "CREDEXIT" Biggrin Almost there now, amazing how much "good credit" is expected in modern life. When you're poor it is the only safefty net, that's what I found. Of course it's not a "net" it's a "trap" for most, so I'm entering an era without. I hope. It's a challenge sourcing nutritious food in the heart of wine country.

Unfortunately our new "Community Market" has already proven to be a Whole Foods Markup wannabe. Third time (and last) I purchased some Bobs wheat germ, got home and bzzt already expired! Market wasn't even open on the Expiration Date, so I don't know they're thinking.

Good ole boys just announced the Friday Farmers Market is not coming back, just the dancing party parts. The other Tuesday Market is artisan veggies, real pretty and also too expensive. Oh well.

I've also been doing a lot of sidewalk chalking for peace, taking advantage of the busy street I live on. At least people see a peace sign as they speed by in their rage. Maybe.

Thanks

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earthling1's picture

@eyo
I don't go to the Farmers Market to buy vegetables. I go to buy vegetable starts, and take them home and plant them. Small patches can produce (8'×8') a lot of vegetables.
I understand your frustration eyo, but that is where they want all of us, frustrated. You must resist.
I was born in West Virginia. In the heart of Appalachia. I KNOW poverty!
Truly, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.
Peace.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

@earthling1 Yeah I'd love to buy starts and plant them, but lack the sun, dirt and water. My absentee landlord doesn't even give two shits for mother earth, that's that. There are a few oak head lettuce seeds I sprouted on my tiny deck, it's the best I can do. One crop and done, after that, it's too hot out there.

I also deleted my Google account today, had that for too long knowing how evil those corporate rat-fuckers really are. Feels good. I am spending more time around Free Software too, more in line with my computing ethics. It seems hypocritical to profit the very assholes who ruined your community, or maybe I just think too much. Oh well shrug. Evil is a target-rich environment right now if you ask me.

Cheers
Edit P.S. Yeah, poverty is frustrating. Very.

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thanatokephaloides's picture

@eyo

Yeah I'd love to buy starts and plant them, but lack the sun, dirt and water.

I resemble that remark! Apartment living -- especially condo apartments -- are a perfect example of anti-resiliency for the profit of the 0.01%. You supposedly "own" your place, but have almost none of the rights that come with ownership of real real estate, i.e., ground. The real owners of the apartment building (usually called something like "The Association") can fuck you over in any imaginable way they want.

Diablo

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

@eyo
you keep that Peace sign going. It makes a difference!

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earthling1's picture

@eyo
Don't know where you live but here in Portland, Oregon we take public transportation whenever possible or bike. It's called Bike City for a reason. Many participants live downtown or are within walking distance.
Personally, I'm driving my electric Leaf.
You too can be a part of a positive impact, should you choose.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

@earthling1 thanks, it's another challenge 'cause I live at the end of the line that doesn't have very good service. And I can no longer travel to Hopland fifteen miles north, different county different system. I'd have to stay overnight in a hotel to shop there now. California is great for the "FTE sector", I guess. Not so much down here in the sick-and-tired-senior-on-fixed income ditch, not so much.

Peace & Love

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@eyo
to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

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@Linda Wood born here but can't afford it now. Where would I go? If there's an affordable place with a landlord that would rent to me, I'd try everything to get there

You wouldn't believe the crap owners get away with around here, it's really depressing how very little most people I encounter care for each other. It's not my Bay Area that's for sure. Belongs to Zuck and Newsome now, that is the future. "That's the system." Good luck trying to change it, I couldn't even slow it down during my prime, but go on. Every one needs a task to feel complete. Or not. Biggrin

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@eyo
of the cost of housing in this country is one of the subjects all of us will have to deal with in changing the way our country lives. Bernie's short list is just a beginning of economic issues we have to address, and young people, as well as old people, know more about this than those in the other age groups.

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riverlover's picture

@eyo but I am cross-country and you may not have any means to get here. It's rough considering whether I should move----where? And how long could I afford it, if my big-ass asset doesn't sell right away? I am 64. My mother just died at nearly 97. And left her two daughters money. I don't want to live to be 97 in her state, but I would like to make 67.

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Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.

thanatokephaloides's picture

@eyo

You wouldn't believe the crap owners get away with around here, it's really depressing how very little most people I encounter care for each other. It's not my Bay Area that's for sure. Belongs to Zuck and Newsome now, that is the future. "That's the system."

"We're all capitalists now." -- Nancy Pelosi (D-Facebook)

Diablo

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

PriceRip's picture

@eyo

          I just made a nice deal to rent my house to the brother of a colleague. I hate the exploitive nature of the rental market. It is particularly bad near the University. If we could all afford to do what I am doing (assuming it doesn't blow up in my face) we could make a real difference. Social Justice one deal at a time.

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@earthling1 What do think about battery technology, is the following information pertinent in your view? Is there something like Moore's Law for storage tech too? I don't know. http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2010/ph240/eason2/ "... we could imagine using the entire world lithium production to make nothing but Nissan Leafs" LOL stretch much? But get the idea:

How Much Lithium We Need

Lithium-ion electric vehicles can be designed with a large variation of battery capacities, so I will (somewhat arbitrarily) base my analysis on the Nissan Leaf electric car, which has a 24 kW·h battery. [11] There are electric cars with smaller batteries than the Leaf (e.g., Chevrolet Volt) and larger batteries (e.g., Tesla Model S), so the Leaf's battery strikes a rough median. Every 10 kW·h requires 1 kg of lithium, so it takes at least 2.4 kg of lithium to make this battery.

If all other lithium industries suddenly evaporated, we could imagine using the entire world lithium production to make nothing but Nissan Leafs. At 2 × 107 kg of lithium per year, we can make 8.3 million of them. Using all 9.9 × 109 kg of the world's lithium reserves, we can make 4.1 billion Leafs; using all the identified lithium resources (2.55 × 1010 kg), we can make 10.6 billion Leafs.

If we would like to have a North American standard of living for everyone in the world – say, 1 car for every 2 people – then we would need about 3.4 billion Nissan Leafs. This would use 32% of the identified resources (all known lithium in the world), or 82% of the reserves (all lithium that is currently economic to produce). Even with widespread recycling, that seems like an unsustainable prospect.

Remember that the limits on battery capacity are fundamental. The only ways this percentage can go down are:

Battery capacity exceeds 73% of the theoretical maximum (unlikely)
New deposits of lithium are discovered and made economic (unknowable)
Smaller lithium-ion batteries are used (shorter range)
Fewer cars are built with lithium-ion batteries.

This suggests to me that if all the world's cars are going to be made electric, it is likely that a mixture of battery technologies will be used. It is certainly possible to build millions of electric vehicles with lithium-ion batteries, but it may not be possible to make billions of them.

Thanks

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thanatokephaloides's picture

@eyo

Fewer cars are built with lithium-ion batteries.

Capacity per unit volume/weight is the issue here (as it has always been). Newer technologies, such as nickel-cobalt, yield far more capacity per unit burden than lithium-ion.

I think that hydrogen fuel cells will also make a mark here, once technologies are perfected to allow them to breathe air rather than pure oxygen. And those technologies already exist; I use them daily. (mechanical oxygen concentrator)

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

earthling1's picture

@eyo So your computations are already outdated.
I get it though, lithium is limited...... here on terrestrial earth. The future holds great promise for mining asteroids and even the moon.
How do we move to that point. By making fossil fuels less valuable.
If just a quarter of American drivers used all electric cars it would devastate the fossil fuel industry. Since Americans consume the overwhelming majority of fuels and oils this would Jumpstart the search for more lithium, including worldwide.
Remember that electric vehicles use very little petroleum products since they have, essentially, one moving part. Of course, wheels and steering mechanisms need lubricants but the amount pales in comparison to the typical gas guzzler. Also too, no need for gas or diesel or oil filters, or air filters, smog pumps, or tranmissions.
Of course, not everyone can make due with an economical EV. Some people travel beyond the limits of a Leaf. But I have family and friends with brand new ICE (internal combustion engines) but rent cars for long trips just to save wear and tear on their cars. Not to mention the savings in fuel by renting a compact for that trip to California or wherever. I would do the same if I didn't already have an ICE car for just that purpose.
The Leaf gets me and my SO around town for 95% of our errands and visiting our extended family and friends. We have even taken it camping.
Did my electric bill go up? Yeah, it did. But I'm still accessing it due to an abnormally cool and rainy winter and spring. But it doesn't appear to have gone up that much.
Incidentally, the 3.3 kwh Leaf flat hauls ass! Eats battery power when you hot rod it though.
Peace.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

divineorder's picture

@earthling1 @earthling1

Fossil Free
@GoFossilFree

It's wrong to profit from wrecking the climate -- so we're building an unstoppable movement taking aim at the heart of the fossil fuel industry—join us!
global
www.gofossilfree.org
Joined November 2012

###

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

earthling1's picture

@eyo
By building my garden soil organically, by using biochar and mimicking Terra Preta manmade soils as practiced by ancient Amazonion peoples.
Even my lawnmower is battery powered. Composting is just habit now.
Not everybody can do these things. But those who can, should.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

@earthling1

My parents had had two big, sturdy (plastic) heat-composting bins for organic waste; everything could go in there from veggie peels (any I didn't hog for the Red Wigglers I raised in a big bucket for my pet fish) to raked leaves, perfect for those in the city with no place to set up compost piles in the back yard. Yet I never hear of these, either in commenter's mentions/articles or even ads, not that I look for the latter, or could afford to buy them myself.

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

divineorder's picture

@eyo @eyo We are planning on riding on scheduled transit from Berkeley to San Francisco this am to participate in the SF March for Science. Interested in seeing the electric vehicle display at the Fair that follows the march.

With you on the direct action to repurpose military spending as an alternative to marching. What have you done most recently ?

Thanks for the link to the Naked Capitalism post! Have family members in both economies. The evs are out of many people's grasp at current price points.

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

earthling1's picture

@divineorder
Not so, divineorder.
As I have posted before with all the incentives, both Federal, State, manufacturer, and dealer, I drove away with a $35,000 Nissan Leaf for less than $18,000. Range anxiety is overblown.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

divineorder's picture

@earthling1 for a large segment. Good info though

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

@divineorder that's how I get my exercise, thanks. I walk everywhere now, or take the bus. My e-bike from '03 has dead batteries, and it is very painful to grip the handles so I don't ride much. Still trying to figure out how to survive actually, it doesn't look good but I don't dwell there.

Have fun.

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divineorder's picture

@eyo

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

Wink's picture

@divineorder
and maybe the Only way we all survivve. If one is north of 60 and makes Less than $3,000 /mo. Net, it might be smarter to co-op rather than go it alone.

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

Wink's picture

@eyo
TPTB. We know they don't give a damn. We march for ourselves and for the almost clueful nearby. We march to show the nearby that they're not alone, that others in town feel like they do, so... join the party!

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

@Wink I'm not gonna party (or travel) while the world burns, but go on. It's really clear to me now what divides community, I live in a different world. Good luck holding on to what you got, I can tell you're enjoying it and I have no care about it personally, only systemically. If you want to party, have fun. A lot of people want to party right now.

P.S. My total income is less than a Nissan Leaf, and I know people who are struggling to get by on far less in Sonoma County. It is NOT because they don't "work hard". Let that meme die in a fire. Kick myself every day for selling my house in Y2k, my mortgage payment was less than current room rental so wtf? I remember really not wanting to belong to GWBs "Ownership Society" except didn't account for every D around me to turn dickhead landlord for a living, professionally. And the healthcare system gets totally pwned by Insurance, while D pols became evermore complicit innovating the systems of legal bribery. My "choice" to get soaked, apparently. "That's the system." Minumum wage is $10.50 and hour, that is not worth congratulation. Forget compassion, the world needs empathy. Bigly.

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PriceRip's picture

@eyo

          Most have no idea of what that word "acrophobic" really means. The words in the DSM do not even come close to describing the condition. The most empathetic psychiatrist or psychologist is only able to utter platitudes when discussing the subject with me. The mind numbing experience of this condition is not expressible.
          This is particularly terrifying to me:


FingerTips.jpeg
There are no words ...

          I grew up as you are living now, the rage within never dies and it drives me to this day.

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@PriceRip @PriceRip

Have some virtually transmitted but deeply felt empathy - that picture is enough to give me nightmares...

Edit: the typo wasn't supposed to be included, though; that's merely a tradition with me, lol.

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

Wink's picture

@eyo
in Syracuse in April 2016 when it was still cold, and still snowing. (barely). About 150-200 of us. Got more than a few car horns of support, as well as a few fingers, but mostly we marched to inform people of the upcoming NY Primary - and that they should vote for Bernie.
Well, Bernie lost Syracuse (and the District there) by 6, 7 points. I'm not sure if our march made any difference. But I would do it again.

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

orlbucfan's picture

Getting ready to attend the Orlando March for Science. I live in Orange County. Orange is bordered on the east by Brevard County aka the (NASA) Space Coast. Rec'd!! Smile

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

times of no money better than money get you through times of no science.
(H/T to Fat Freddy and his cat).
I wish the makers and shakers would realize it.

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There is no such thing as TMI. It can always be held in reserve for extortion.

earthling1's picture

Halfway through Neil deaGrasse Tyson's " Space Chronicles". He lays it out pretty clearly how America's science advances are nothing more than reactions to perceived enemies breakthroughs. America has been leading from behind for decades.
" Look, the people are marching! I must find out where they are going so I can lead them".
Pathetic.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

PriceRip's picture

@earthling1

          The Superconducting Super Collider (SSC), I knew about it long before the first "formal" discussions. I was supposed to have a shot at using it, but noooo, damn that bunch of .. butt-scratching, hand-wringing, penny-pinching, let's-stick-it-to-the-new-guy pin-heads, all of them.

          We are so far behind because CERN still falls way too short of what the SSC could have done without breaking a sweat.

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earthling1's picture

@PriceRip He's actually fairly brutal on the the stupid politicians, starting with their failure to foresee Sputnik and it's ramifications.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

@earthling1

Especially since they keep veering right and dragging everyone in ever-tightening circles...

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

thanatokephaloides's picture

This is the politics that SHOULD be in and about Science:

However, science is being threatened by governments at home and abroad. The mischaracterization of science as a partisan issue, which has given policymakers the ability to reject and disregard scientific evidence, is a critical and urgent matter. It is time for people who support scientific research and evidence-based policies to take a stand.

This is a political struggle for the right of genuine science to simply exist. Therefore, it is politics that all thinking people should be involved with.

Pseudo-science needs to be dethroned, disempowered, and destroyed.

Diablo

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"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar

"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides

@thanatokephaloides

The war on science is the war on reality is the war on the world is the war on life - much of this ironically backed by what's referred to as Big Tech - Monsanto, et al, Silicone Valley and the like, all apparently seeking ultimate monopolies on power, control and money.

Without corporate propaganda and profiteering, where could we be now?

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0 users have voted.

Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

PriceRip's picture

@Ellen North

          We talk about STEM programs, and STEM students to emphasize that there are four related but distinct disciplines.

          There is a world of difference between science and technology. In political discussions those differences tend to get ignored, surprise!

          I would like to see this sort of thing end, but I doubt many really care to make the distinction. Many industrial scientists have long ago stopped being scientists. While many technicians, and engineers have become scientists. But this truth is way to messy to bring up in a political discussion. Feynman is famous for having bestowed the title "Doctor" on a technician of particular note during the Challenger investigation.

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@PriceRip

Dear PriceRip, if you'll pardon my focusing on one portion of your reply and ever wonder why I adore you, especially in a world of ignorant, greedy, reality-denying, fat-headed, billionaire-tech-donor-worshiping politicians obliterating government science and regulatory agencies for destructive corporate profiteering:

... There is a world of difference between science and technology. In political discussions those differences tend to get ignored, surprise!

I would like to see this sort of thing end, but I doubt many really care to make the distinction. Many industrial scientists have long ago stopped being scientists. While many technicians, and engineers have become scientists. ...

Technology is a tool; I would never have thought anyone outside of a corny old science-fiction movie would believe that it should and must replace biology, but that appears to the plan for enough billionaire donors for their political recipients to mindlessly continue to eliminate the natural, self-sustaining life support system for their further profit in the belief that Super-Tech will save them and make them immortal.

It seems appropriate that so many here select Duck Duck Go over Google as a main search engine... especially as the various birds and returning ducks and geese here are fewer every year. I've seen very few small birds this year ( a few sparrows in the still-bare branches and a few larger birds splashing in the fish-pond out back on a recent sunnier and warmer day,) and heard only the odd and unhappy-sounding goose and one duck so far - at night, yet, when they ought to be settled at the near-by park pond - and now it's been dumping snow at the end of April...

Who'd want to live without life?

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0 users have voted.

Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

PriceRip's picture

@Ellen North

          The shifts are more noticeable in transitional zones. One of the benefits of "citizen science" particularly for ornithology is that the "backyard birders" actually gather data sooner and with greater coverage than is possible otherwise.

          As (climate change) stress drives the birds from their "usual" favorite haunts it will people like you that will provide the critical observations of same. While "Rip, he ain't no birder" don't have those skills, I have been very involved in building and maintaining Audubon's Rowe Sanctuary a few miles from here. The staff supplemented by a very large contingent of amateurs monitor the ecological health of the "Big Bend" reach of the Platte River. I talked with the sanctuary manager, as we walked yesterday, about "Crane Season". Fortunately, all is well with the Lesser Sandhill Cranes at this time. Warning: That means that the stress is not yet evident with respect to this particular "datum point" and backyard birder record's are even more critical now than ever before.
Editorial Note: "Rip, he ain't no birder" is local code for me, myself, and I.

          Thanks for the "dope slap". I read your comment to my wife and she pointed out that DuckDuckGo is her default search engine. So I reset my system accordingly. Thing is: I know this all from the bottom up and tend to eschew high level meta-language stuff. I suppose I will have to work on mending my ways.

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@PriceRip

Thank you so much for, among other things, becoming involved in this sanctuary! So bizarre that much of the interdependent life which makes the world go around is becoming dependent upon citizen action, sanctuaries and petitions begging for some essential fragment of the interdependent life support system to be permitted some non-polluted space... not that there is any longer a truly pristine environment anywhere in the world.

And it's snowing here again today, at the end of April...

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

Cassiodorus's picture

The important question, as readers above have suggested, is one of which politics we want to promote with the science we do. Y'all should check out Isabelle Stengers' In Catastrophic Times for a philosophy of science that is about this.

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"The war on Gaza, backed by the West, is a demonstration that the West is willing to cross all lines. That it will discard any nuance of humanity. That it is willing to commit genocide" -- Moon of Alabama

divineorder's picture

@Cassiodorus

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

Alligator Ed's picture

First I have my Magic 8-ball; then there is my Ouija board; followed by ever-faithful crystal ball and lastly the Ideological Correctness Of the Pastafarian Religion of which I am a devout follower. Please stop this drivel about science, mathematics and stuff like that. Listen and Obey (repeat Obey) the teachings of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I and my fellow devotees pray for your soul but you seem doomed by your search for truth by using facts and logic. This CANNOT be tolerated. Expect a curse to be painted on your front door in marinara sauce if you do not quickly come to your senses.

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@Alligator Ed @Alligator Ed

Alligator Ed, usually I agree with you, but on this we seem to have religious differences.

In my particular Pastafarian sect, we believe strongly in the 'I'd really rather you didn't' clauses and go more in for the beer and strippers aspect than the marinara curse aspect; I'd invite you to join me, but my strippers are all extremely male, although none of them seem to have Magic 8-balls. The beer is unisex, though, and you can bring your own strippers, if that'd work for you? I'd just as soon skip the Ouija board meetings, myself, unless I can sneak in a good book to read under the table or perhaps one of these Magic 8-balled strippers of which you speak - merely to work out the juggling, of course - to help me stay awake, as such meetings leave me board silly.

Edit: overtired and giggly, almost forgot! May you be touched by His Dangling Appendage!

Ramen!

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

PriceRip's picture

@Alligator Ed @Ellen North

          I Am Saved ! Never To Be Lost Again ! At least not until dinner time, anyway.

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@PriceRip

One can always vary in meal-time worship; in example, we just had disorganized (the essence of) meatballs in either hard/soft tacos (noodles in an even more inclusive form) and kept the spirit, even if in a beerless fashion, and we're certain that the FSM approves. (The dog didn't, as I, at least, failed to save her any, but she gets home-made human-quality dog food over her dry-food supper anyway.)

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

PriceRip's picture

@Ellen North

          Sigh ! You are forgiven my child. At least you did right by the Dog. Now go and sin no more.

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@PriceRip

Lol, not devoid of booze by choice; I'm hoping that such issues will not obtain in better days, when we all sit together by the beer volcano, making bad jokes and doubtless occasionally snorting bubbles out of our noses in philosophical response...

Oh, well, I get silly and giggly when over-tired, I can tough it out without booze until then. I figure FSM will understand, he's kinda that like that, you know. Very real-liberal-minded.

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

Alligator Ed's picture

@Ellen North of enlightenment. One is the inhalation of a natural substance (therefore healthy) through a beer bong. Enlightenment comes. The jokes and insights which follow may be bad, but no one will care.

Ramen!

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PriceRip's picture

          Sam Levine, The Huffington Post, is not wrong: Donald Trump’s Earth Day Statement Is Shameful, I didn't bother to read it. Why spoil a nice day?

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