The book argues that scientifically literate "geeks" should become a social movement that advocates for evidence-based public policy. The author defines geeks as people from diverse backgrounds who value the scientific approach. The book calls on geeks to hold policymakers accountable and challenge ideas not supported by strong evidence. Using examples from the UK, the book discusses how most issues involve scientific questions but are often debated without critical analysis. However, the movement may face opposition from powerful groups promoting policies based on weak evidence.
The book argues that scientifically literate "geeks" should become a social movement that advocates for evidence-based public policy. The author defines geeks as people from diverse backgrounds who value the scientific approach. The book calls on geeks to hold policymakers accountable and challenge ideas not supported by strong evidence. Using examples from the UK, the book discusses how most issues involve scientific questions but are often debated without critical analysis. However, the movement may face opposition from powerful groups promoting policies based on weak evidence.
The book argues that scientifically literate "geeks" should become a social movement that advocates for evidence-based public policy. The author defines geeks as people from diverse backgrounds who value the scientific approach. The book calls on geeks to hold policymakers accountable and challenge ideas not supported by strong evidence. Using examples from the UK, the book discusses how most issues involve scientific questions but are often debated without critical analysis. However, the movement may face opposition from powerful groups promoting policies based on weak evidence.
Henderson, Mark (2012), The Geek Manifesto - Why Science Matters. Corgi Books, Transworld Publishers (UK), Random House.
The author, a science journalist, makes a compelling case for a specific segment of society, i.e. 'geeks', to rise up as a movement that advocates evidence-based thinking in the formulation of public policy. Henderson defines geeks as scientifically literate citizens of diverse backgrounds who may or may not be scientists and engineers per se but who value and utilize the scientific approach to thinking and problem-solving in every aspect of life. This book is a global call for geeks to openly hold our policy makers accountable and challenge ideas and claims based on myth, folklore, superstition and junk science. Using recent events in the United Kingdom as a case study, Henderson states that almost every issue affecting our lives today contain scientific and technological issues that require critical analysis and public debate. However, such a movement will face great opposition, particularly the threat of lawsuits for libel and defamation as geeks take on powerful, well--funded public personalities and practitioners supported by biased mass media that promote claims, practices, paranoia and policies based on dubious evidence.