Can Conservatives and Scientists Get Along?

Last week, Chris Mooney, science blogger and author of The Republican War on Science, asked David Frum to come on the “Point of Inquiry” podcast to discuss conservatives and science, and David was kind enough to ask that I be included in the conversation. The interview can now be found online here.

The discussion was wide-ranging, dealing with topics including global warming, evolution, vaccines, nuclear power, light bulbs, John Edwards, postmodernism and more. Mooney, who describes his own political views as liberal, showed an interest in discussing not just conservatism’s foibles regarding science but what blind spots the leftward side of the political spectrum may have on such matters.

Among other things, we looked at a bit of history, showing that the right’s relations with the scientific community were not always as fraught as they are today. Consider, for instance, this 1988 speech by President Ronald Reagan warning that budget pressures threaten the federal government’s role in funding basic research — “one of the most practical things government does,” as Reagan asserted.

Download the “Point of Inquiry” podcast and let us know what you think.