[kipita]

Has there really been a trend toward politicization? Eugenics and Lysenkoism are two, far more political cases from earlier times that come immediately to mind. Science is a human activity and not immune to fads and hijacking for political purposes. I'd say it's far less prone than many other areas, education being a prime example. And these pernicious tendencies don't tend to last long in science.

Good points but I'm speaking realistically about science in America.

Okay, the limits of knowns has lead to the "philosophical" string theory and gaia theory.

Since the 1970s, the best American minds have gone into business and law. This has lead the American business community to fund "science" to justify business interest. Currently, most of the best scientist in America are foreign born. The Indian Institute of Technology has surpassed MIT in many areas of science and the European Institute of Technology is set to start. With these trends, America can no longer use science objectively. We could not answer yes or no on Iraq WMDs (the science was ignored), we cannot answer yes or no on global warming, we cannot objectively implement sound environmental policies (asbestos/fiberglass--what's the difference), etc. It seems non-scientist will determine the future of science in America. A Republic..............if you can keep it.........

[edsheppa]

I'm speaking realistically about science in America.

OK, Lysenko isn't directly related, but eugenics is. It's funny to think of Gore as being a modern day Sanger.

On "philosophical" string theory, have you read Smolin's The Trouble With Physics. Not great literature but interesting. On the whole I think he's too hard on the String Theorists. My view is that all this time they've been struggling to build a theory that connects with reality but just haven't managed.

Really, I think you're much too pessimistic.