Dominus Paradoxum

I was thinking, perhaps we could start a new political party that would lobby, as opposed to certain christian and enviornmental groups, for scientific research and new technologies. You know, a party that would educate the public about science and scientific methods, and one that could inform them of the benifits of greater funding for new research areas such as stem cell research, genitic engineering, nanotechnology, quantum computing, etc. I'm sure we'd get support from the major science organizations and the scientific community at large. So, what do you think?

echidna

Would the party have a moral stance on issues ?

Would nuclear power research be treated the same as solar or fuel cell research ?
Would missile targeting research be equivalent to oncological research ?
Would killer gene foodgrain research be equivalent to endangered species habitat research ?

It would seem that a political movement based solely on technology is not viable, & if it ends up being a proponent of only "good science", then it is reduced back to just being another political party with a different moral stance on issues.

I've never been a fan of special-interest political lobbies.

Shake

Well, especially given the poor performance of third parties in the US, are you sure you mean an actual party? Or do you mean some sort of lobbying group? Even if you try to keep it very general, you're going to still have folks wanting to push some specific agenda, which others won't support. I mean, I'm sure not even the whole scientific community would necessarily support all of the items you mentioned.

Feather

Scientists as a group would generally make bad politicians. And, in my opinion, probably bad general public policy.

Any one group naturally tends to endourse/lobby for things that benefit directly said group's interests. And while I am all for more involvement/spending on science issues (being a graduate physics student), I am not certain that an exclusive focus on science in political matters is the way to go.

Then there is the issue that the vast majority of people are emotionally motivated ignorant savages.

There's also the issue that not even every scientist agrees on matters of public policy not related directly to science. I"m not sure how such a political party might be formed, therefore.

Friar Bellows

Ooh! Ooh! That's me!

echidna

And besides, a party for scientists ? Good grief, break out the slide rules and chalkboards. No thanks, I'd rather go to a party for tax auditors.

Feather

Pfffft. Who needs the slide rules? Those are for engineers.

thebeave

Isn't the Natural Law party somewhat based on science? I went to their website once, but left somewhat confused. Maybe someone can clarify...

fando

I got fooled by the Natural Law party before. They're more like UFO conspiratists and quacks masquerading as scientists. Avoid them. Ok, maybe that was extreme for dismissal, but consider this: http://www.trancenet.org/nlp/index.shtml