nuclear-news

Radiation & science denial- theme for October 2015

Denial of the health effects of ionising radiation is the latest and the most sinister, of the lies against science. That lie is now being used as part of the campaign to get nuclear recognised at the UN December Paris Climate Conference as a “clean” technology – worthy of tax-payer funded incentives. 

Denial of science is not new – goes back to Flat Earth and beyond.  It does have to do with complex psychological issues. These include resentment and jealousy of the respected position of scientists, fear of change, and a kind of helplessness in the face of challenging circumstances.

There are other motivations – such as the desire to be famous and important –  as being someone “brave enough to oppose the mainstream”

Then there’s the “libertarian idea” – so strongly believed by Rupert Murdoch, that government must not interfere with personal freedom. This idea would include – the freedom to promote smoking to young people, to get a job as an asbestos miner, to refuse to vaccinate children against fatal diseases, to accept that low level irradiation of one’s children is OK.

But none of these motivations would get “air play”, would prevail,  if it were not for the Money Motive –  the good old “What’s In It For Whom?”        That’s the impetus behind public relations people, “consultants” , journalists, commentators, TV producers, film-makers etc who are paid by think tanks that are fronts for polluting  industries, and for corporate giants like the Koch brothers.  And  – don’t let’s forget,  – the scientists and science media who are paid by governments that are trapped  – financially beholden to polluting corporations, and to the military industrial complex

September 28, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina's themes