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The Doomsday Lobby: Hype and Panic from Sputniks, Martians, and Marauding Meteors
Federal patronage of science was never contemplated by the framers of the Constitution, but they did seek to "promote the Progress of Science and useful Art" by granting inventors patent rights. However, direct subvention to scientists and scientific organizations was not considered appropriate activity of the central government. In the 19th Century, American science was funded almost entirely through private investors. Since WWII, however, the federal government has become the primary patron of American science. From the race-to-space in the 1950s to current furor over global warming, Bennett traces the subtle and not-so-subtle ways in which government has co-opted scientific research and reinforced a culture in which challengers to proscribed wisdom are frozen out. Citing original documents and media reports, Bennett offers a compelling, entertaining, and thought-provoking perspective on political influence on scientific research and its implications for a democratic society.
"During the Nineteenth Century, almost entirely on private funding, American science grew from practically nothing to world class. Now, however, over fifty percent of American science is funded by the federal government. Dr. Bennett traces the path, "crisis" after "crisis," by which American science became practically an arm of the federal government. His tale is a cautionary one, warning against future "crisis mongers" who would extend the government's already majority control of American science even further. His warning is a timely one, and it should be heeded." Joseph P. Martino, author of Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel
"Bennett's latest book offers a challenging interpretation of the rise of the American federal science establishment since World War II. Focusing primarily on the growth of the space program, Bennett argues that crisis, real or imagined, is the source of state power and state funding for science. The Doomsday Lobby offers what no doubt will be viewed as a controversial contribution to the history of American science policy, and more broadly to an understanding of the role of the state in society." James D. Savage, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, and author of Funding Science in America
"During the Nineteenth Century, almost entirely on private funding, American science grew from practically nothing to world class. Now, however, over fifty percent of American science is funded by the federal government. Dr. Bennett traces the path, "crisis" after "crisis," by which American science became practically an arm of the federal government. His tale is a cautionary one, warning against future "crisis mongers" who would extend the government's already majority control of American science even further. His warning is a timely one, and it should be heeded." Joseph P. Martino, author of Science Funding: Politics and Porkbarrel
"Bennett's latest book offers a challenging interpretation of the rise of the American federal science establishment since World War II. Focusing primarily on the growth of the space program, Bennett argues that crisis, real or imagined, is the source of state power and state funding for science. The Doomsday Lobby offers what no doubt will be viewed as a controversial contribution to the history of American science policy, and more broadly to an understanding of the role of the state in society." James D. Savage, Professor of Politics, University of Virginia, and author of Funding Science in America
- GenresNonfiction
207 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 23, 2011
Okay...I hate to look a gift horse in the mouth (I won this book in the Firstreads Giveaway), but I have to say that it didn’t live up to my hopes.
As a disclaimer, let me say that I’m a Libertarian, so I pretty much believe the less involvement by the federal government in anything, the better; this book sounded right up my alley. And, this statement from the introduction led me to think it was going to be: “The federal government’s central role in funding science imbues the issues with political correctness, thereby impeding the objective, unbiased inquiry which is, of course, the very essence of science.”
Well, yeah! The whole purpose of this book is to expose and dissect the world of self-serving, job-protecting doomsday predictions visited upon Congress and the American public in order to, the author purports, scare everyone into paying for things–in this case, scientists and their projects–that otherwise wouldn’t have a prayer of public funding. As the author points out (exhaustively) early in the book, even the Founding Fathers felt that government funding of science was unconstitutional, due to the inherent conflicts of interest and tainted results that system would bring (not to mention the cost.)
So far, so good. The problem is, the book doesn’t really pick up readable steam until about midway through; the first half is little more than a tiresome, excruciatingly dull, collection of quotations, mostly from scientists and politicians. If that doesn’t put you to sleep, nothing will. My mind kept wandering off while trying to read it, and after jolting myself awake I could never figure out where I’d left off. The sad thing is, it’s this part of the book where the author lays out his exhaustive research proving that science was humming along just fine on private funding and resourcefulness for decades before the federal government got involved.
Things do pick up considerably in the second half of the book. By then the author seems to find his own voice instead of endlessly quoting someone else’s, and it’s much more interesting. An example (pg. 172): “... there are reasonable worries and reasonable precautions, and then there are ‘sky-is-falling’ fables whose purpose is...the liberation of taxpayers’ money from the Treasury to the private contractors and public agencies whose coffers bulge at the fable’s climax.” This is the central point the author is trying to make throughout the book. And, although he’s specifically addressing public funding of science projects, I imagine all lobbying works in much the same way.
I will admit that the readability of this book might depend to some extent on who the target audience is. Scientists and politicians might have an easier time plowing through the first half than a casual reader. However, in my own defense, I’m not a total science dunce; I enjoyed every science class I’ve taken (and Star Walk is one of the few apps I’ve actually paid for, and I use it on an almost daily basis.) I also recognize that a lot of computer technology came out of the space program. However, I also believe that technology would have been developed anyway–and, who knows, maybe even sooner–without the government’s involvement.
I really wanted to give this book 1 1/2 stars, but since I can’t do that I’ll give it two, adding a few extra points for the subtitle (“Hype and Panic From Sputniks, Martians, and Marauding Meteors”) and the cute alien picture on the cover.
Bottom line: If you want a glimpse into why Washington can’t seem to get anything done and why politicians are out for themselves, their districts and their own reelection bids, read this book...if you can; better get out the coffee pot first.
As a disclaimer, let me say that I’m a Libertarian, so I pretty much believe the less involvement by the federal government in anything, the better; this book sounded right up my alley. And, this statement from the introduction led me to think it was going to be: “The federal government’s central role in funding science imbues the issues with political correctness, thereby impeding the objective, unbiased inquiry which is, of course, the very essence of science.”
Well, yeah! The whole purpose of this book is to expose and dissect the world of self-serving, job-protecting doomsday predictions visited upon Congress and the American public in order to, the author purports, scare everyone into paying for things–in this case, scientists and their projects–that otherwise wouldn’t have a prayer of public funding. As the author points out (exhaustively) early in the book, even the Founding Fathers felt that government funding of science was unconstitutional, due to the inherent conflicts of interest and tainted results that system would bring (not to mention the cost.)
So far, so good. The problem is, the book doesn’t really pick up readable steam until about midway through; the first half is little more than a tiresome, excruciatingly dull, collection of quotations, mostly from scientists and politicians. If that doesn’t put you to sleep, nothing will. My mind kept wandering off while trying to read it, and after jolting myself awake I could never figure out where I’d left off. The sad thing is, it’s this part of the book where the author lays out his exhaustive research proving that science was humming along just fine on private funding and resourcefulness for decades before the federal government got involved.
Things do pick up considerably in the second half of the book. By then the author seems to find his own voice instead of endlessly quoting someone else’s, and it’s much more interesting. An example (pg. 172): “... there are reasonable worries and reasonable precautions, and then there are ‘sky-is-falling’ fables whose purpose is...the liberation of taxpayers’ money from the Treasury to the private contractors and public agencies whose coffers bulge at the fable’s climax.” This is the central point the author is trying to make throughout the book. And, although he’s specifically addressing public funding of science projects, I imagine all lobbying works in much the same way.
I will admit that the readability of this book might depend to some extent on who the target audience is. Scientists and politicians might have an easier time plowing through the first half than a casual reader. However, in my own defense, I’m not a total science dunce; I enjoyed every science class I’ve taken (and Star Walk is one of the few apps I’ve actually paid for, and I use it on an almost daily basis.) I also recognize that a lot of computer technology came out of the space program. However, I also believe that technology would have been developed anyway–and, who knows, maybe even sooner–without the government’s involvement.
I really wanted to give this book 1 1/2 stars, but since I can’t do that I’ll give it two, adding a few extra points for the subtitle (“Hype and Panic From Sputniks, Martians, and Marauding Meteors”) and the cute alien picture on the cover.
Bottom line: If you want a glimpse into why Washington can’t seem to get anything done and why politicians are out for themselves, their districts and their own reelection bids, read this book...if you can; better get out the coffee pot first.
April 8, 2011
I received "The Doomsday Lobby" for free through Goodreads First Reads.
This book offers an interesting perspective of how the federal government has come to fund and control scientific research in this country. Beginning with our founding fathers, this fact filled (and I mean FILLED) book follows history all the way to the present. 2/3 of the book reads like a textbook, fact after historical fact meticulously presented. I found it difficult to pick up and read for enjoyment, I kept looking for a practice test at the end of each chapter.
However, the last three chapters are more entertaining and dare I say enjoyable as Mr. Bennett (author) leaves off with the scientific chronology and offers thought provoking opinions. If his goal was to open my eyes to a new idea, then Mr. Bennett definitely succeeded.
This book offers an interesting perspective of how the federal government has come to fund and control scientific research in this country. Beginning with our founding fathers, this fact filled (and I mean FILLED) book follows history all the way to the present. 2/3 of the book reads like a textbook, fact after historical fact meticulously presented. I found it difficult to pick up and read for enjoyment, I kept looking for a practice test at the end of each chapter.
However, the last three chapters are more entertaining and dare I say enjoyable as Mr. Bennett (author) leaves off with the scientific chronology and offers thought provoking opinions. If his goal was to open my eyes to a new idea, then Mr. Bennett definitely succeeded.
Currently Reading
March 23, 2011I won this book from Goodreads First Reads. I am currently reading it. Thanks.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews