REPLY SD Impact on National Government Policies (SD6143)

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Posted by  Steven Roderick <sroderic at mac.com>
"So what puzzles me is why other great ideas do not have to wait so long 
for widespread uptake?"

To Kim's wonderful observations I might add the following.  It is an overused 
analogy, but a pump must be primed if one expects an instantaneous flow of 
water from it.  It seems that change will come as a result of work on all 
fronts.  Priming is the work of educators.  A public that knows of systems 
is a public that can create action around systems.  The actual work of moving 
the pump handle will have to come from those who are active in the field.  
Both Kima and Jay are absolutely right when they say that publishing for 
lay person, on topics of immediate relevency, is necessary.  Combined with 
a knowledgeable (primed) public, perhaps rapid and "widespread uptake" is 
possible.  I have faith that there is more of a primed public out there 
than we imagine.

Profound and sweeping concepts often do take time.  I am reminded of the 
fact that I came across Jay's work first in 1971, the same year that I 
attended, as a student, a symposium at MIT on "Inadvertant Climate 
Modification".  For years I have taught about this in my high school classes 
and consistently have felt frustrated and discouraged by the perceived lack 
of change.  Today, 35 years, a failed presidential attempt by Al Gore, and 
an ensuing film on "Inconvenient Truths" later, I cannot escape discussion 
of global warming.  What happened?  Perhaps a primed public that I was not 
able to perceive, and the right publication at the right time.

Ah.... isn't all this complexity wonderful?
Jay, I'm running home to start my book ...  just as soon as classes are over.

Steve Roderick
Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School
Posted by  Steven Roderick <sroderic at mac.com>
posting date  Thu, 04 Jan 2007 08:56:20 -0800