Friday, October 15, 2010

 

Science, Evidence, Politics

I'm having a very scientific month. On Saturday 9th I stuck my oar in at the Science is Vital rally outside the treasury, mainly defending the importance of science to comedy. On Monday 18th I'm speaking on evidence and public health, where I'll be using some of our research for Your Days Are Numbered: the maths of death.
But regardless of what the evidence says - and it tends to be me much more nuanced than some of the public health campaigns might suggest - I will defend the right of the public both to be involved in policy decisions, and also to make individual choices in our own lives. I mean, I don't smoke, but I'm not that pleased that all my smoking friends are banished outside the pub, either.
Later this month I'm chairing a panel debate on evidence-based policy at the Battle of Ideas. The speakers - Science Minister David Willetts, Evan Harris, Steve Rayner and James Panton - should set us up for a truly well-informed and heated argument.
For light relief I've reviewed a few operas, bought myself some new motorbike gear, and signed up for the next Maths course. Though it doesn't start till February 2011 (sigh).

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