Levitan

In these assignment’s reading. “Not a Scientist: How Politicians Mistake, Misrepresent, and Utterly Mangle Science,” author, Dave Levitan, an American science journalist, researches the many faults within the rhetoric and logistics in prominent politician’s discussion of science. In order for the public to fully understand the world around them, listening to the people we are supposed to trust in most, seems to be the most logical answer; however, this same government is telling us that they are “not scientists” and minimize the full effects of the dangers and hazards that surround our daily lives.  Levitan exemplifies how for years, specifically in the GOP, politicians have used many approaches such as the “certain uncertainty” (139) of science and upright “conspicuous silence” (201) when it comes to science.  It is important for people to realize that when politicians say that they aren’t scientists, or ignore important scientific facts, they are in outright denial of what is right in front of them.  Levitan supports his argument that politics have “rhetorical and logical errors” (206) when he introduces the IPCC and the various data charts and graphs that prove science considers all aspects of the situation. On pages 142-143, Levitan effectively reaches the readers sense of logic and ethicality when they see the numbers that prove that most scientists minimize the effects that we as a human race have on the environment and in the world, we live. Levitan attempts to make readers see the dangers in falling for the “not a scientist line” dished out by various prominent politicians. Whether or not there is a malicious intent behind the politician’s words is unimportant. Levitan warns, “the point is that intent doesn’t matter: getting science wrong has a whole host of effects, from eroding public trust in both politics and the scientific community, to actively harming people today and in the future” (6). Levitan effectively gets readers to see the dangers in the way politicians respond to scientific information.  There needs to be a smarter, and more knowledgeable approach for politicians to use, so that the general public can come to a stronger understanding of the world they live in.