Pretty funny wish fulfillment where someone forces their own views on others. I fully support vaccination, but don't support this.
“You're not allowed science any more”
11–20 of 170 posts
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#12"You're not allowed sarcastic metaphors any more." "Why not?" asked the scientist. "Because you haven't learned to employ them in a way that doesn't alienate the very people you are trying to help. Now please send in Dawkins on the way out, we need to discuss internet memes with him."
The sarcastic metaphor and the exasperation that motivates it comes after centuries of scientists being ridiculed, persecuted, and even killed by ignorant people.
Right, which is all the more reason to take the high road. To set a better example.
Also, because trading vitriol with religious fanatics and ignorants accomplishes nothing. Knowledge is the antidote to ignorance. Not smugness, defensiveness, or indignation (well-justified though all of those things might be).
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#13"You're not allowed sarcastic metaphors any more." "Why not?" asked the scientist. "Because you haven't learned to employ them in a way that doesn't alienate the very people you are trying to help. Now please send in Dawkins on the way out, we need to discuss internet memes with him."
The sarcastic metaphor and the exasperation that motivates it comes after centuries of scientists being ridiculed, persecuted, and even killed by ignorant people.
I know where it comes from, with my scientists hat on, I completely agree with the piece. But from a literary perspective, it is like being repeatedly bashed round the head by a moron with a length of 2x4.
This conceit can be done well. Mitchell and Webb's little old lady job-justification hearings are a particularly good example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbXTBPN1HhA
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#14I wonder if the "producer at the BBC" reference was from the BBC not giving air time to climate change skeptics in debate anymore?
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#15This is so telling. The sheer arrogance is plainly visible, as is the doctor's complete lack of empathy.
There are plenty of ways to motivate people, and this is most certainly not a good one. You don't get a mule to move by pushing it.
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#16"You're not allowed sarcastic metaphors any more." "Why not?" asked the scientist. "Because you haven't learned to employ them in a way that doesn't alienate the very people you are trying to help. Now please send in Dawkins on the way out, we need to discuss internet memes with him."
You're right, but you're wrong. You're right - we shouldn't celebrate alienating people who need help. You're wrong, because there is no argument that can convince someone who doesn't care about evidence. So, please forgive us our gallows humor about this. After all, these people are content in risking the health of MY child on their Jenny McCarthy-inspired HUNCH that vaccines are bad. If anti-vaccine folks were only…
You're wrong, because there is no argument that can convince someone who doesn't care about evidence.
That sounds reasonably falsifiable, especially with some nice biscuits.
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#17I have spotted this totalitarian streak among some of my friends who went to med school. We should ban smoking, force everyone to do this or that. As bad as they can be, we're probably better off with lawyers in charge.
People die because some idiot parent didn't vaccinated their children, so I say yes, enforce it or don't live in society, go to some isolated island because you are causing harm, it's as totalitarian as allowing people to play Russian roulette with other people's children (actually you'd go to jail so I think we're too lenient with these parents).
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#18A more computational crowd might enjoy "You're not allowed bioinformatics anymore": http://biomickwatson.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/youre-not-allo...
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#19I wonder if the "producer at the BBC" reference was from the BBC not giving air time to climate change skeptics in debate anymore?
No. This article is from 2012.
Re: “You're not allowed science any more”
#20i don't care if it expresses a totalitarian view, it's just not very good writing.