All:
"A very important means by which progress is made in scientific research is
in the exchange of ideas that takes place at scientific meetings and
conferences. At these events, scientists from academia, industry, and
government, as well as students studying to become scientists, come together
to formally present and discuss their research and learn about research by
others that may have implications for their work. This exchange of ideas
and review of results is integral to scientific integrity and the scientific
process."
Almost no one would disagree with that statement. However, one of the
serious elephants in the room remains the limitations and obstacles
intentionally placed in the way of independent scholars and the public at
large who may wish to participate, but are effectively barred from doing so
by the great expense involved in traveling to exotic locations, staying at
fine hotels, meals and other related costs, paying blatantly-imposed
penalties for being "non-members" at registration, ad nauseam. This is not
so bad, as the taxpayers should not be expected to pay for "just anybody" to
take a vacation halfway around the world just because he or she is
"interested" in the subject matter of a particular conference or
conferences.
But that is only the beginning of the humiliating gauntlet the unanointed
and guildless must run to "participate." Such outcasts must beg, borrow, or
steal "underground" copies of papers and are forced to impose upon the
limited time of researchers to request reprints. While most researchers are
gracious enough to grant such requests, almost none have the time to enter
into discussions with unknown outsiders, and that is entirely
understandable--that is what conferences are for . . . Oops, we've come full
circle, haven't we?
When I was in business, I thought nothing of paying my own expenses to
attend such meetings--no paperwork, no justification, no bureaucracy--just
go. I found that I learned more at such meetings in the hallways, bars, and
even restrooms than by listening to papers, and I got to talk with people
without imposing myself upon them in the course of their everyday work. But
now I am retired and my meager retirement income will not permit such
luxury. And, now that I am no longer working, "I am become irrelevant, my
world destroyed," to paraphrase Oppenheimer.
There are ways to achieve equity if not parity in this situation. Some "we"
need to think up. Others have been tried but abandoned, like the excellent
worldwide on-line IGY conference sponsored by the World Bank in the year
2000.
Any other ideas?
WT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nadine Lymn" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 8:28 AM
Subject: [ECOLOG-L] Government Participation in Scientific Meetings Is under
Threat
Via the American Geophysical Union:
A piece of legislation currently being reviewed in Congress aims to severely
limit federal employees from participating in conferences, including
non-governmental scientific meetings like the AGU Fall Meeting. The 21st
Century Postal Services Act (S. 1789)
(http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1789es/pdf/BILLS-112s1789es.pdf)
passed the Senate back in April and is likely to move quickly in the House
during the lame duck session because of serious financial issues addressed
in the bill. While the majority of the bill strives to improve and
transform the U.S. Postal Service, section 501 (S. AMDT 2060) of the bill
will severely affect the sharing of scientific research and genesis of
potentially transformative ideas.
Despite the gains AGU members and AGU Public Affairs have made over the last
6 months in educating Members of Congress on the harm section 501 would have
on the scientific process and Earth and space science community, the rushed
nature of postal reform could allow the provision to pass in the final days
of this Congress.
A very important means by which progress is made in scientific research is
in the exchange of ideas that takes place at scientific meetings and
conferences. At these events, scientists from academia, industry, and
government, as well as students studying to become scientists, come together
to formally present and discuss their research and learn about research by
others that may have implications for their work. This exchange of ideas
and review of results is integral to scientific integrity and the scientific
process.
1. Contact Your Legislator. Section 501 (S. AMDT 2060) of the 21st
Century Postal Services Act (S.1789)
(http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112s1789es/pdf/BILLS-112s1789es.pdf) ,
passed by the Senate and awaiting action in the House, would severely
restrict the participation of Federal government scientists in scientific
meetings and conferences.
Click the Take Action links below to email your legislators and ask them to
allow Federal employees to continue to participate in non-governmental
scientific conferences by amending the language in S. AMDT 2060 in the
"Postal Act." After clicking on the links and then clicking "take action",
you will find "Speaking Points" you may wish to include in your email.
Take Action by contacting your Representative. (http://bit.ly/M9Uu6C)
Take Action by contacting your Senator. (http://bit.ly/M9Uu6C)
2. Share Examples with AGU. In an effort to convey to lawmakers the
importance of government scientists' participation in scientific meetings,
AGU is asking for its members to share examples of societally-relevant
scientific work resulting from collaboration between government and academic
and/or industry scientists at AGU meetings. Please send your stories to the
AGU Public Affairs Team at [email protected]. You may also include
these examples when contacting OMB and your legislators.
***Please note that Federal employees are not permitted to contact OMB nor
their Representative or Senators regarding this issue but are encouraged to
share this information with their colleagues outside government***
Please contact AGU Public Affairs staff at [email protected] if you have
any questions regarding this issue. For assistance on how to find and
contact your Congressional Representative, please visit the AGU Science
Policy webpage (http://www.agu.org/sci_pol/).
-----
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