Mass mind pollution
Normally on Thursdays I host an online futurology seminar, but unfortunately my Macintosh was being serviced, so many thanks to Dr Eisig Fleischkloschen for taking over my role.
As a result of my absence from the information superhighway I was watching the television. This is not something I do very often, given the poor quality of programming on any of the multitude of channels I can receive on satellite and cable. I am unlikely to resort to the television in the future, given the display of ignorance and ineptitude to which I was exposed.
The object of my annoyance was a debate program with people discussing carbon sinks and 'pollution trading'. Now, I have my own views on this topic, which I will share with you in due time. But what annoyed me was the sort of people who were discussing the matter.
One was a scientist, who I'd never heard of and didn't even have a Phd, one was a political candidate, and the other two were just ordinary members of the public, with no qualifications whatsoever.
I do not think it is right that uneducated people should be put in a position to air their views on science on a popular television program that may influence large numbers of people who don't know any better than to listen.
There should, for these sort of programs, be some kind of screening process, so that the participants have a minimum standard of intelligence. The producers should take some responsibility for what can be an effective method of informing the viewing public what to think about important topics.
I have written to the station and volunteered my services for future debates. Rest assured, I'll let you know what results from this.
