Review | Science Magazine

SCIENCE AND SOCIETY

For the Democracy of Science

Alyssa Pelish

The bio attached to Shawn Lawrence Otto’s blog on science and politics (1) notes his accomplishments as a science advocate, political strategist, and screenwriter (House of Sand and Fog). It also mentions that he’s an Eagle Scout, although that seems in keeping with the persistently civic-minded project of Fool Me Twice. The book is not a stand-alone critique, lancing exposé, or purely philosophical treatise such as others—with undoubtedly similar concerns—have written within the past decade. It is not that Otto doesn’t critique, expose, or philosophize; certainly, his dissatisfaction with the dismal state of scientific literacy among the American public and its lawmakers is readily apparent, as are his progressive ideals.

Rather, what distinguishes the book is his determination to simultaneously educate and move to action both lay readers and scientists. Otto’s most urgent concern is the overwhelming absence, in both the public and its elected representatives, of the science literacy required to make informed policy decisions...

read the rest:

Download a pdf here

View the article online here