Episode 100: Live from Helsinki

Welcome to our 100th episode! This one comes to you complete with a live audience at the University of Helsinki, kindly hosted by the SRI Congress 2024.

Debating questions

Warm-up debates:

(1) We should get rid of daylight saving time.

(2) How would a dog wear trousers? Hind legs only, or all four legs on the bottom half of its body?

(3) In which order do you put on socks and shoes? Sock sock shoe shoe, or sock shoe sock shoe?

 

Substantive debates:

(1) Science advice organisations should welcome researchers who have connections to industry or campaign groups.

(2) As a science advisor, I'm OK with my research being used by everyone in the policymaking process.

(3) As a science advisor, it's OK to have private conversations with a policymaker.

(4) As a science advisor, I should present only the evidence. Interpreting that evidence is the policymaker's job.

(5) It's my duty as a scientist to lobby for changes in society, based on the evidence as I see it.

(6) If a policymaker wants a simple answer from science, I should give them one.

(7) When there isn't enough data for a robust evidence-based answer, I should give my best guess.

(8) When scientists disagree on a controversial issue, I should present my own view on what the evidence says.

(9) If the politicians make a decision which really goes against my advice, it's my duty to speak out publicly against it.

(10) As a science advisor, I should try to present different stakeholder positions, such as those of affected communities.

 

Resources mentioned in this episode

• SRI Congress 2024: https://sricongress.org/home/about-sri2024/
• The noble vibraslap, queen of percussion instruments: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vibraslap
• Spotify playlist featuring the vibraslap: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3pXPF32AkTNcRfNswxnaWq?si=bdb62b8d74dd4151