Open Science Thread

Science policy is on the verge of a dramatic change. We can debate and discuss what a McCain science policy vs. a Democratic one would look like, but change it will. What will that mean for funding and priorities, how will those opposed to change seek to obstruct it, and more importantly, what do you think we can or should do about any of it?

I'm happy to announce that that's one set of question we will be examining at Netroots Nation 2008 this July in Austin, Texas; together, we will examine the possible, brighter future, using the lens of the recent, dimmer past. The speakers that will lead that effort are, in no particular order:

Constance McKee is a biotechnology entrepreneur who is the co-founder of for-profit Manzanita Pharmaceuticals and a co-founder of non-profit BioE2E. She is currently Co-Executive Director of Americans for Cures Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting grassroots advocacy for stem cell research. If you're thinking that President Bush's veto on human embryonic stem cell research will be easily lifted in January 2009, Constance will set you straight: hard-core conservative activists are chipping away at this hugely important research in state legislatures, in the courts and in public debate. But she and her team have a 50-state "people-powered" strategy to defend the right of American families and veterans to have the best medical care.

Dr. Mark Bowen, Ph. D., blogs at Tipping Points and is the author of the magnificent book, Censoring Science: Inside the Political Attack on Dr. James Hansen and the Truth of Global Warming (Reviews & Order page). At NrN Mark will continue courageously flipping over slimy rocks revealing anti-science specimens in their natural, hidden state, and perhaps look at ways to keep them from emerging, once again, to further drain the lifeblood of legitimate science from the body politic. He will also discuss research priorities for the nation's climate science programs in general and for science at NASA, perhaps our most inspiring science agency, which has suffered some body blows in recent years.¹

Ed Brayton is a Fellow with the Center for Independent Media and the voice behind the popular blog Dispatches from the Culture Wars. He was recently elected president of Michigan Citizens for Science and has been a longtime activist in the battle to protect and improve science education. He hasn’t decided what subject he’s going to speak on, but he’s pretty sure the Discovery Institute and the Intelligent Design Creationists aren’t gonna like it.

Andrew Hoppin of the NASA CoLab will also be on hand as a non partisan moderator, and to answer any questions about what a progressive vision at NASA might look like.

I don't speak for NrN, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are other discussions regarding science such as the environment, energy, and perhaps health care or medical science in general. Those and other major NrN 2008 announcements will start coming hard and heavy in the next few weeks (And trust me on this, some major 6th Street partying activities are planned!), so register while you can and stay tuned!

From a source at NrN: Our reserved rooms at the discounted bulk rate at the Convention Hotel were filling up a few weeks ago quickly. My understanding is that that trend continues. Also, this may not be current anymore, but Southwest had some bargain one way flights going from the cities below to Austin:

Austin, TX
$79 one-way, to/from
Denver, CO
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
Orlando, FL
Philadelphia, PA