Comments on: So it’s farewell then, Baroness Greenfield

By: Max Sang

Max Sang — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:53:31 +0000

Seconded – the first and only dissenting voice I’ve heard was Fishpaste’s, and his article (last week on the Guardian website I think) was so full of ad hominem attacks and scaremongering non-sequiturs I just dismissed it. If SAS are not whiter than white it’ll be news to nearly everybody, I think.

By: Gaw

Gaw — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:28:27 +0000

I meant the story as a whole rather than just the Furedi link. It’s just a great tale of hubris that seems to sum up the noughties.

But I wouldn’t overestimate how informed people are about the whole Furedi thing. As you know I had no idea as to who was behind Sense on Science and I like to think I’m reasonably well-informed. The RCP, etc. have done a very impressive job of smuggling themselves into all sorts of places. And this fact probably needs shouting about a lot more. So keep up the good work!

By: Francis Sedgemore

Francis Sedgemore — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:52:10 +0000

Gareth – Do we really need further exposés of the RCP network in the qualities? True, it would help if the authors of same did not have a credibility deficit (e.g., Zac Goldsmith), but it’s not a question of simply informing the public about the antics of the Furedi cult. What’s needed is to drive a wedge between the hardcore cultists and those who think it acceptable to break bread with them.

Now I have no idea about the core philosophical beliefs of Susan Greenfield, though I suspect that narcissism is her guiding principle. Greenfield is one of a number of high-profile scientists and policymakers who work closely with the Furedi cult. Maybe they regard the latter as no more than a tool to be used for their personal betterment. This may have short-term benefits for them, but, mark my words, they will come unstuck eventually. Poison doesn’t discriminate.

By: Gaw

Gaw — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:57:59 +0000

I’ve been watching this unfold partly because I recently discovered the Royal Institution is a great place to meet for coffee in the West End. It’s a most expensively appointed, high tec-style bit of interior design in which nestles a nice caff. Always almost empty, which made it even more congenial to me. But I did wonder what on earth they were thinking: all that money spent for such little evident return.

Then I learnt about the intriguing financial car crash involving the Baroness Professor (Ruritanian, no?).

And now you reveal this angle! It just gets better. If I were you I’d be pitching a long piece on the whole saga to one of the Sunday mags.

By: Francis Sedgemore

Francis Sedgemore — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 18:08:48 +0000

There is no shortage of damning material in the public domain on the RCP and its progeny. When it comes to the Science Media Centre and Sense about Science, you could start here.

By: Geoff Coupe

Geoff Coupe — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:49:11 +0000

Ah, gawd, now I’ve got to go away and read up all about this Furedi cult… Bugger. Just when I thought that I was beginning to get on top of this thing called life…

By: Francis Sedgemore

Francis Sedgemore — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:46:15 +0000

Sense about Science is a sectarian organisation that serves as a front for the Furedi cult. While some of the work done by Sense about Science is worthwhile, the organisation’s influence in the science communication community is on the whole negative. What we have with Sense about Science is science in the service of anti-democratic political ideology and corporate interests.

By: Geoff Coupe

Geoff Coupe — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:37:12 +0000

OK, so then I assumed too much… Let’s step back. What is it about ‘Sense about Science’ that seems to raise your negative feelings? I’m just going by what you wrote – if I’ve misunderstood, then I’m sorry, but constructs such as ‘linked to a cult organisation’ and ‘malign influence of political moonies’ led me to understand that you had little time for ‘Sence about Science’ itself…

By: Francis Sedgemore

Francis Sedgemore — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:10:02 +0000

Geoff – How can you infer that, because I have a problem with Sense about Science, I do not support the libel reform campaign, of which Sense about Science is but one part? That would be a logical fallacy.

I am a signatory to the libel reform campaign petition. What more can I possibly say?

By: Geoff Coupe

Geoff Coupe — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:02:16 +0000

I get the feeling that you have little time for ‘Sense about Science’, and therefore by inference, their campaign to keep English libel law out of science matters. Which somewhat surprises me. Care to say more? Thanks.