GEEK THE VOTE
We want to send 226 copies of ‘The Geek Manifesto’ to Federal Parliament – that’s one copy for every politician in the House. But time is running out – will you pledge to buy one copy before 17 September when 200 scientists go to Canberra to deliver them?
0 copies remaining to be sold
Deadline to pledge: 17 September 2012
Cost per copy: $35 (include GST)
Science & Technology Australia (and many of our friends in the science sector) were reading ‘The Geek Manifesto’ and think it is time every MP reads it too.
Why? Because even though politicians aren’t obliged to make every decision according to the available scientific evidence and nothing else, they definitely should make sure they take scientific advice on issues when it is relevant – and let’s be honest there are few public policy issues where it’s not.
Of Australia’s 226 federal parliamentarians, 15 have a qualification in science or engineering. This is a significant under-representation of one of the most important professions in our society and politics suffers accordingly.
If 226 pledges are received, Science & Technology Australia will deliver the books to Parliament House in Canberra (if we don’t reach our target you will be reimbursed).
If you decide to pledge leave a comment on the website for one or all parliamentarians (please keep the comments clean!). Science & Technology Australia will compile the comments and deliver them together with the book on September 17.
Click here for more information about ‘The Geek Manifesto’. Questions? Email info@sta.org.au
Listen to the ABC Science Show where Robyn Williams interviews the author:
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“Geek activism” works.
Campaigns like Respect the Science and Discoveries need Dollars have made tangible differences.
From ‘The Geek Manifesto’ – “There has never been a better time to be a geek.”
“It is impossible to make sensible policy about climate change, medicine or food safety without a modicum of understanding of the scientific evidence base Our leaders need to be intelligent consumers of science.”
Click here for more from the book.
Your comments:
Lois, to Tony Abbott – “Follow the science!”
Evan, to Joe Hockey – “The realities of modern politics often seem to run counter to science, or at least the scientific process. I hope you, and the colleagues you influence, can start to think about ways you can better incorporate the scientific process and scientists into your policy-making. Taking a look at this book is a good starting point; and not a bad read either.”
Click here for more comments.
