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Date: Wed, 19 Sep 2001 09:16:08 -0600
Subject: RE:The World Trade Center Tragedy: A Plea for Reason
From: Mike Fuller <mmfuller@unm.edu>
To: <valerie@global-dialog.org>
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Status: R

Valerie,
This is a good idea. For an idea to become something of a reality, it needs
a sponsor. Someone who is willing, and has the resources and time, to
develop it into a cause. I have a suggestion.

First, few academics are in a position to do take on such a huge
responsibility. Also, the act of organizing a new political group on the fly
in response to a crises, with the goal of influencing entrenched political
interests, is not only difficult, it is largely an effort in futility. Why
should anyone listen to Johnny come lately when they already have an earful
of advice from dozens of other sources, many of whom have been around and
have a track record? The wheels of democracy turn to the weight of public
opinion and government decree. To influence either, you need to be heard. To
be heard, you need either a loud voice or a lot of money. The
military-industrial complex has both. Without a large, well organized, well
respected political body behind you, what have you got?

Here in the US, there are large, well organized, well established scientific
agencies and organizations for purpose of advising the government. They have
been around long enough to have political ties. They have political savvy,
and yes, they have influence. They include academic societies, such as the
Ecological Society of America and the American Physical Society. But
probably the most influential organization is the National Science
Foundation. Indeed, the NSF was created in part to provide counsel on
scientific issues, and to express the viewpoint of scientists on issues of
social and political importance.

My suggestion then, is to make your idea known to the political wing of the
NSF. Let them know you have a resource of available respected scientists
(i.e. the cosigners of your message) who are ready and able to assist
existing government advisors on this weighty issue. Make it clear that
traditional social and political scientists are not equipped to deal with
the issues of complexity theory, and that is why NSF needs you. The Bush
administration needs you (assuming they are interested in avoiding war, for
which they may have other motives not to do). The country definitely needs
you and your group. If the NSF takes a pass, try ESA or APS. And there are
others.

The main thing is to get the expertise and knowledge from the experts to a
receptive party who can operationalize it.

Sincerely,
Mike



