Following the National Review‘s “Grrrr, Neil deGrasse Tyson is THE WORST!” cover story (it’s behind a pay wall, but the subhead that frets about “America’s nerd problem” sums up the tone nicely), the Los Angeles Times‘ has an editorial by Matthew Fleischer that asks “Why Are Conservatives Afraid of Neil deGrasse Tyson?” It’s a pretty solid read, though it mostly comes down the not-so-surprising theory that, well, all entrenched politicians aren’t too fond of a populace that educates itself and asks a bunch of questions.
One part in the piece that particularly piqued my interest—and made me instantly think of Portland—was this:
In a world where advanced technology has infiltrated nearly every corner of our lives—raising a litany of technical, ethical and legal challenges—our government is willfully scientifically illiterate.
The reason this status quo has been allowed to persist is that the general population isn’t much better. Conservatives continue to fight any attempts to combat climate change, while many liberals are refusing to vaccinate their children over fears of a nonexistent link to autism. It wouldn’t be hard to predict a liberal backlash against Tyson, similar to the one we’re seeing from conservatives, if he were to speak more prominently about his endorsement of genetically modified foods—one of the more scientifically unfounded banner arguments of the left. (Via.)
Given Tyson’s great, brief remarks on GMOs (and his excellent, more nuanced follow-up comments, posted here and here), the threat of a “liberal backlash against Tyson” is (A) super depressing, and (B) dead on. If we assume the GMO debate will continue to escalate, and if we take into account how a significant portion of Portlanders feel about fluoride, it’d be the least surprising thing ever if Neil deGrasse Tyson become Portland public enemy number one.
(Shout out to the scrappy anti-GMO signature gatherer who valiantly attempted to get Alison and I to sign his clipboard—first by arguing with us, then by shouting after us. “But—but even if you’re pro-GMO, labeling is great!” he cried. “That way you can eat more of them!”)
Have to strongly disagree. There are many arguments against fluoride in drinking water and for GMO labeling.
Most, and the most important arguments, have little relation to the anti- for each arguments you cite. Don’t you think that attaching your argument to a TV personality is clickbait and pageview pandering?
Seriously, we are looking forward to thoughtful Merc writing about GMO labeling closer to the election. You can do it!
The problem with NdGT’s stance is that he’s essentially advocating for science and research to exist in a vacuum and that some nebulous and trustworthy third-party regulatory agency would be then be tasked with ensuring that these GMOs are safe; that somehow we can trust the government and the food industry to be trustworthy and not cover up problems.
This is an incredibly myopic viewpoint. Businesses cannot be trusted to actually have the greater good in mind. Governments cannot be trusted to have the well-being of the governed as any part of their motivation. In this real world situation, the only defense that can be employed by the consumer is sunshine. Say what’s in the product and where it came from.
If the GMO thing passes I hope that each, individual Marionberry is dutifully marked and labeled.
“There are many arguments against fluoride in drinking water and for GMO labeling.”
Just not good ones based on evidence.
“But—but even if you’re pro-GMO, labeling is great!” he cried. “That way you can eat more of them!”
He makes a valid point.
Neils right folks. Even the World Health Organization has found nothing wrong with GMO foods.
I’m not against labeling either, the only problem is that people selling perfectly fine GMO foods will find it unfairly difficult to sell their foods, while those damn hippie stores selling their expensive and no healthier foods will rake in a lot more cash —
That is, until the public gets educated not to fear these foods.
“Oh my fellow GMO manufacturers and retailers, we are sooo oppressed by the ignorant masses and People’s Food Coop! Lead us to guaranteed future profits, and make people eat our poop, after spraying it with our other poop, forever after, GMO Obiwan/Moses/Jesus/God, amen.”
Glad some people on Blogtown know the metabolic cascade of every SNP in every GMO in every organism in the human food chain consuming it. Sure the WHO does, from extensive research done, exactly by who?
This strikes as subtle fear-mongering and hopes for a lot more cash by some folks, ostensibly in giving us healthier food.