Who Knows More?
Somewhere - and I really cannot recall where - I’ve heard a policy maker and scientist warn the public not to assume that those making the policy and decisions understand the issues at hand and are well informed on the subject matter. Being guilty of stating in the past “they know more about it then I do, and I have to assume they know what they are doing”, I was forced to reconsider.
Case and point: Linda Keen was fired from her position as the head of Canada’s nuclear watchdog upon refusal to reopen a nuclear reactor when it failed a safety check. Her professional opinion was overridden by the head of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper, an economist and politician.
The mud is flying every which way in terms of the credibility of any claims, but those with two feet firmly planted on the ground do not dispute that a reactor deemed unsafe was brought online - a supposed expert in the field now fired, and overruled by an economist, politician and Co.
Without insinuating anything in regard to the names I have thus far mentioned, I think Bertrand Russell put it best when he said “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.”
When important decisions are being made, we owe it to ourselves to step out of the sleepy consciousness which self-preserves with the modest suggestion that those calling the shots are always better suited to do so than anyone else.