"Lynne Harrison finds a way to re-inflate the deficit model
by arguing that "those whom scientists and presumably
Government are hoping to engage feel their lack of
understanding prevents them from entering the debate". I
have yet to encounter anyone who self cancels from a debate
they feel is important on the grounds of ignorance. Are we
to believe that all those tattooed crew cuts in my local
arguing about the Euro are qualified in economics? I have
said before, What About Public Understanding of Law?
Ignorance does not exclude people from the free formation
and expression of opinion, or even participation in the
democratic process. So why do we privilege science in this
way?"
I have no wish to re-inflate the deficit model - we all know that
communication is a two way process and I'd imagine all try to promote
interaction and dialogue in communicating science.
But the above response highlights my concerns exactly.
While none of us are excluded from holding and expressing opinions on
anything and everything we are excluded from participating in a meaningful
debate if we don't understand what the debate is about. I am very well
aware of my own lack of understanding/appreciation of economics for example,
so while I don't feel precluded from moaning about tax/income/house prices
etc. I don't feel able to usefully argue/agree with specific measures to
tackle any of these issues.
If we want to engage in a wider debate re specific science issues, be it GM
food, cloning, organ banks, nuclear power, human genome data, climate
change, or whatever surely we have to make EVERYBODY able to
participate/engage in/contribute to this much praised dialogue and debate.
My own (admittedly limited) experience with the non-scientific public
supports the concept that once confident of their own grasp of a subject, be
it ever so rudimentary, most people are much more likely engage in this sort
of debate.
I shall shut up now and retire to my own 'educational' bunker.
Lynne Harrison
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