Recently there has been a debate on the list about what is valid science. I
am not going to even attempt to answer that question. (My ego is big but not
that big.) Indeed the question has been part of the national and
international debate for some time now.

"Good science" like history is in the hands of those in power. If the people
that control the state apparatus claim that the science is "good" then we
can act upon up it. We can, "Run it. Trust it Evolve it." If it is not
"good" science, we can trash it, literally and figuratively. The "goodness"
of the science has nothing to do with its validity.

The problem with this methodology is that it leaves scientists flapping in
the breeze. Those in favor today may have their support withdrawn based upon
what is considered "good" science today. Since that support is based upon
many factors, few of them having anything to do with the science involved,
we have turned science into a political beach ball floating on the current
wind or going where it is sent by a politician's tap.

The current government in the U.S. has reversed itself on the "goodness" of
the global warming science. It will be interesting to hear what the
scientists from the "global warming is not a problem or at least not a man
made problem" will say now. What is more interesting is what their
apologists will say. Non-scientists seeking "scientific" proof to validate
political/economic policy have been left in the lurch. (Though most of these
folks would be loathe to be "Left" in anything they would still be in the
lurch.) What will they say now? What will they do?

We of the 3000 community have seen how frustrating it can be when policy
predicates science. It means that little or no marketing of the relegated
science. It means little or no funding for R&D. Think of this on a global
scope. How many "3000esque" technologies, concepts and theorems have been
lost due to this "good" science mentality?

Sorry, for starting an OT thread on a Monday but I was thinking about this
all weekend.
Maybe only I am concerned about these things and we won't over burden
people's delete key. Nonetheless, thank you for reading this post.

The opinions expressed herein are my own and not necessarily those of my
employer.
Yosef Rosenblatt

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