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A group blog composed of scientists, show hosts and producers, Correlations is the official blog of WIRED SCIENCE. Tips, questions or comments? E-mail us at correlations@kcet.org.

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Liz Burr

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Damon Gambuto

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Tamsin Gray

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Chris Hardwick

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Clifford Johnson

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Sheril Kirshenbaum

is a marine biologist at Duke University.

Tara C. Smith

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Michael Tobis

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Ziya Tong

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04.10.08

Science Policy Forum

by Sheril R. Kirshenbaum Department: Science & Society

"Science and the Candidates," will appear in tomorrow's April 11th issue of the journal Science co-authored by Sheril R. Kirshenbaum, Chris Mooney, Shawn Lawrence Otto, Matthew Chapman, Austin Dacey, Rush Holt, and Lawrence Krauss. As Chris explains over at The Intersection, we've laid out how ScienceDebate2008 began, its implications, and where it's going.

The article considers the extraordinary speed at which ScienceDebate2008 became a national cause célèbre, which we feel demonstrates that the U.S. scientific establishment can be quickly organized when motivated. We further suggest that we might learn something from the nontraditional origin of the effort which serves as evidence that we need to work together across disciplines and with those in media:

ScienceDebate2008 might not have emerged if not for a collective efforts of individuals largely outside of science. Two screenwriters, a journalist, a philosopher, and two scientists built a bipartisan coalition of leaders in government, academia, and among journalists and the religious and business establishments. The initial announcement came not from the major media (which initially paid little attention), but rather via the organization of a large coalition of science bloggers and other Web based forums...At a time when scientists are greatly dissatisfied with an increasingly fragmented media and its moribund treatment of science, "netroots" efforts provide a new means of outreach.

ScienceDebate2008 has already succeeded by making the candidates more aware of how critical science policy issues are in our global society. Whether they show the leadership to debate them or not, and their response to this initiative will be on record, establishing a course for future development.

This is our collective future. Every individual matters and can make a difference. It is my hope that the candidates display the courage to discuss how they plan to face the greatest challenges to our nation so that on November 4, 2008, when our votes become our voice, we can make the most well-informed decision.

Tags: election, Science Journal, ScienceDebate2008