Science Cheerleader

Today, readers of The Scientist magazine found something new in their journal: a picture of Penn and Teller and cheerleaders!  Hot off the press, here’s an article The Scientist ran about the Science Cheerleader’s push to restore federal science policy to its rightful place.

Flag-waving Republican, Newt Gingrich, dismantled the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (science policy advisers to Congress) as a symbol of his believe in the Contract with America back in the 90s. Bad move. And a little silly to slash a lean office with a modest budget that produced hundreds of still-valued reports on hot science policy topics. Plus Newt loves science. He really does. He thought Congress didn’t need the OTA because they could just pick up the phone and call scientists and engineers for advice. Really?

It’s been 15 years, give or take, and we witnessed the ugly side of science when it’s been politically manipulated. Congress needed the OTA  then and they surely need it now. Obama and the majority of the Executive Branch understand the value of sound science policy advice, particularly when it takes into account public input for determining things like Risk Assessment. The Legislative Branch, however, is about six steps behind.
The good news is that momentum is building on the streets to reopen the OTA and add a mechanism for public participation. Even Republicans are embracing this movement. I’ve counted three so far but it wasn’t long ago the sum would have been zero:

Me, Bart and the founder of Scientific Blogging, Hank Campbell. Read why they support the call to reopen the OTA.

It’s a start.

Cheers!

PS: Bart recently posted this example of why he supports the reopening of the OTA.

Can you feel the earth shaking? It’s from the clamoring of calls to reopen the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (the OTA provided science policy advice to Congress before Newt Gingrich closed the Office 15 years ago).  Regular readers are aware of my OTA cheer: “Hey, hey, what do you say? Let’s reopen the OTA (with citizen input)!!”  Published two articles in Science Progress,  started a petition, launched a facebook discussion, and just created a mock market where investors can buy or sell stock to indicate their predictions on whether or not an OTA with citizen input will be opened this year. (Stock is tumbling. Good time to buy it!)

Here are two very recent articles on the subject of a new OTA, written by “futurists.” Future thinkers? Eat my dust!

The Future of Foresight under Obama and Mission Ahead .  

If you want to learn more about the OTA or read some of their 750+ official reports, check this out, from the Federation of American Scientists. It has to be the most vibrant website dedicated to a non-existent Federal government office.