I have two issues with your last statement. Firstly, this is a top scientist in a publically funded organization that is charged with fulfilling a public good. I believe that in speaking out like this, he is acting for the good of society as a whole.
Secondly, this scientist is not just a member of NASA, he is a citizen in a democracy. Citizens of good conscience have a duty to speak about issues they believe to be of importance to society, especially if they are in prestigious positions, such as being a top scientist at NASA.
One of the first things that fascists such as Mussolini and Hitler did to increase their control of society was to divide societies into interest groups...business, labour, etc...the opinions of individuals did not matter...people's duty was to their particular interest group. The various interest groups were far more easy to control than a bunch of unruly individuals.
Slashdot Mirror
I have two issues with your last statement. Firstly, this is a top scientist in a publically funded organization that is charged with fulfilling a public good. I believe that in speaking out like this, he is acting for the good of society as a whole. Secondly, this scientist is not just a member of NASA, he is a citizen in a democracy. Citizens of good conscience have a duty to speak about issues they believe to be of importance to society, especially if they are in prestigious positions, such as being a top scientist at NASA. One of the first things that fascists such as Mussolini and Hitler did to increase their control of society was to divide societies into interest groups...business, labour, etc...the opinions of individuals did not matter...people's duty was to their particular interest group. The various interest groups were far more easy to control than a bunch of unruly individuals.