Science and Politics

On the Psychology of Religion listserve operated by APA Division 36 was a reminder of APA's need to maintain political neutrality. It contained the usual suggestion to refrain from endorsing a candidate or a party in general, but particularly during the run-up to an election. Good advice for an organization that needs to maintain its tax-exempt status.

Coincidentally, just before reading that email I read this story about science and politics. These days, it seems difficult to do science and have it understood by people whose political ideology forms the lens through which they view the world. That seems to be the main point of the Science Idol Cartoon Contest sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists. The winning cartoon nails it. Check it out. The finalists are worth viewing, too.