Unsettling “Settled” Science: When Science Went Badly Wrong
Heartland Author
December 23, 2021
By David Kreutzer
Projecting the impacts of science-based policy is never 100 percent certain, nor can we ever have complete confidence in how these impacts will be viewed by those living generations from now.
Nevertheless, many scientists are continually frustrated by those whom they see as poorly informed and shortsighted.
“It is indeed in laying this foundation of scientific truth that speakers on such occasions encounter their greatest difficulties; for many prejudices arising from ignorance have to be overcome. . . . Unfortunately it will be our politicians who will mainly settle how far the teachings of science shall be made to affect legislation; and this they will be apt to do with little reference to the opinions of experts and largely in the hope of catching votes. But the votes of future generations cannot now be caught, and their interests will, therefore, be likely to receive but scant attention in all democratic countries.
Governments which depend on the suffrages of the people are of necessity always somewhat timid in regard to unpopular reforms.”
https://heartlanddailynews.com/2021/12/unsettling-settled-science-when-science-went-badly-wrong/
