Should scientists play a role in shaping public opinion beyond their particular expertise?
Well, I think our job means telling people what we know. We should always make clear the scientific facts, even if people don’t want to hear them. Too many scientists feel responsibility only to themselves and their next grant. But we’re part of society, too, and we have a duty to explain our science and act as a kind of lobbyist for it. Maybe we can’t tell people how to use knowledge, but we can make sure they have all of the information. Are people listening? No, they pay more attention to baseball. Can a scientist believe in God? I don’t know. I have no religious component. I don’t want to speak for others, but I don’t have a single colleague who is religious. I know one person who is, and I don’t understand him at all. We have different brains. Is science today better or worse than it was when you were coming up through the ranks? It’s worse. We’re trying to solve harder problems, but there doesn’t seem to be any interest by either political party. Our standing has declined. Fundin
