Geeks In the Public Forum?

cedarhillbilly writes "In his new book The Geek Manifesto, Mark Henderson 'pleads for citizens who value science to force it onto the mainstream political agenda and other main walks of life.' There are some important questions that need answers: 'Do you have to give up your tech practice to undertake a public role?' Also, 'Is political life (compromise, working by consensus, irrationality) antithetical to the "geek" values?'" The Guardian's coverage sums up the idea nicely: "What I desperately want is a move toward an evidence-based culture in politics. Politicians are free to say: 'I think people on drugs should be punished because drugs are immoral.' That's a moral call, albeit a rather stupid one in my opinion. What they shouldn't do is say: 'I want to reduce drug use, and sending all users to prison is the most cost-effective way to achieve that.' That's not a moral call, it's a factual statement; as such it should be evidence-based, or else the person making it should shut the hell up."

Comments

Re:Dawkins Said It...

[slapyslapslap]

Yeah, you tell 'em Anonymous Coward.

Re:Technocrats

[Anne_Nonymous]

What's always surprised me is why we can't have more pimply-faced, basement-dwelling virgins running the system.

Re:Technocrats

[MobileTatsu-NJG]

Well it would mean we'd get Firefly back, that's for sure.

Re:What an elitist

[Beardo the Bearded]

Uh, excuse me, I have a problem with the "Beardo Gets Kicked in the Nuts and Everyone Else Gets $500 Act."

passes 137,000,000 to 1... you guys are jerks.