Below, John Wilbanks responds to the question:
The boundaries of science are continually expanding as scientists become increasingly integral to finding solutions for larger social issues, such as poverty, conflict, financial crises, etc. On what specific issue/problem do you feel we need to bring the scientific lens to bear?
It strikes me that science serves almost everything we do and all the social problems we face, but it's usually embedded down in the technology that we use, and we don't notice it. But perhaps the most pressing issue would be how we actually use data to make decisions about policy. Most of the decisions we face would be well served by having scientists in the room presenting the data needed, assisting in the gathering of that data, and explaining the realities of uncertainty and probability. We're living in a world of Big Data--Massive Data--and we're not wired for it as humans. We're wired for stories, not massively complex evolved data systems like our bodies--or our climate! This means we consistently put our societies and ourselves into positions that feel natural and stable, but are inherently unstable. Science, and more importantly scientists and science teachers, is one of our only tools to deal with this complex and very real world.
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I am an educator and data is fast becoming glorified as the only way to assess learning and progress (and determine policy). Your comment that 'we are not wired for data but for stories' makes me realize the importance of the human factor, the teacher, who presents the stories about real people learning and the observations about that process.
Posted by: Ed | August 14, 2009 1:15 PM
I couldn't agree more that data - as hard facts - need to play an important role in policy decisions. Developing the tools to turn data into stories is an important challenge and scientists in many disciplines have started to think about this problem. However, another important challenge is to make sure that the data are free of biases and limitations that might have been imposed by entities that sponsor research. This is a problem that policy makers have to solve before we can reassured that policy decisions are made based on sound research that follows scientific principles to a full extent.
Posted by: Nils Gehlenborg | August 25, 2009 4:29 AM