Why our laws lag behind the needs of science

[ThoughtDose]

I've made the video below, and provided the transcript if you are unable to watch the video.

The complexity of the many branches of science often require interpreters to relay information to the public in a manner they can understand, and it will continue to become more complicated and move further away from common understanding. Our understanding is expanding alongside the complexity.

Unfortunately, we’re vulnerable to these interpretations being biased or influenced in ways that aren’t purely scientific - which can influence what we consider to be negative or positive due to that bias.

The lack of trust from government toward the scientific community appears as a makeshift system of checks and balances that organically came about to make it difficult for something government doesn’t fully understand to quickly influence policy.

While this is frustrating for society, it’s important to consider why people have those reservations.

In the eyes of the uninformed, two ‘experts’ giving different opinions on something means you’re likely to take the opinion of others who agree with you on various other viewpoints, like economic policies or immigration.

At that point, those involved in politics tend to be off the ‘science’ wagon, and no longer are able to make laws and regulations based on the understanding of those scientific concepts, and will likely make laws based on experts they choose to believe.


Consider that these people tend to have no way to know what is truly scientific unless they were to devote time to science.

For example, in medicine, boards of doctors and associations exist to evaluate science that pertains to medicine. The decisions they make are subject to be made in benefit of variables not accounted for, such as financial reasons (like to maintain the board functional, or continue being paid), or compromises made with governments at the time - in essence anything done for a reason that is not purely scientific.

For most people, a time will come when science is too complicated for you, you will need to trust experts entirely. Whether due to age, mental faculty, or anything else - even if we were once familiar with science, it will eventually become too complex to understand unless followed very closely.


Do you have anything to add? Leave a comment or contact us on twitter @thoughtdose

P.S. Understanding why society creates these barriers is a step in knowing how to phrase the conversation to ensure that we come to a consensus on science and ensuring the public is informed. Edited May 4, 2017 by ThoughtDose

[Ten oz]

In the eyes of the uninformed, two ‘experts’ giving different opinions on something means you’re likely to take the opinion of others who agree with you on various other viewpoints, like economic policies or immigration.

 

At that point, those involved in politics tend to be off the ‘science’ wagon, and no longer are able to make laws and regulations based on the understanding of those scientific concepts, and will likely make laws based on experts they choose to believe.

 

 

When confronted with 2 "experts" of differing opinion most people, in my opinion, tend to favor the middle. There is a over simplified concept of equality or fairness where people assume conceding some to bothsides of an argument is automatically better than not. Those who refuse to take the "bothsides have valid points" position is typically veiwed as some combination of arrogant, self righteous, rude, or out of touch. Because of this a tactful debater can almost always force a draw in a discussion regardless of the level of error contained in their argument(s). Many people are aware and take advantage of this in order to forward concepts that are provably false.

 

People have no problem trusting experts who provide them with innovations they enjoy. Techonolgy companies from Apple to Tesla enjoy loyal costumer bases who trust their products. People seem to be less impressed/interested in innovations which do not provide entertainment or something immediately useful to their own lives directly. Consumerism seems to be one of the few areas in society where people marvel at science without defaulting to accepting that all pros and all cons are equal.