[lbo-talk] intelligent design

[Wojtek Sokolowski]

Ravi:
> IMHO: you are correct in that this is about power, and that a lot of
> people are left behind by technology/science. but it is too kind to the
> modern world and science to suggest that they are about progress, and
> the masses are left behind and hence dread them. the level of power
> wielded by scientists/experts over knowledge is not justified and that
> is what many [in the public] dread. experts/technologists often present
> their position as objective and true, while at the same time
> displacing/denying (often diffuse/diverse) traditions of knowledge. they
> do so not using truly airtight arguments, but using any of a number of
> rhetorical/political means, including a sneering elitism. again, IMHO,
> you do not need to look much farther than various posts on this list
> (and other leftist outlets), including the vicious infighting, for
examples.
> 

Ravi, this was a letter to editor (NPR), and I am reasonably sure they would
not accept anything too complicated.  

I agree that experts are not always purveyors of the objective truth but
unlike pomo nihilists, I recognize the value of expertise and objective
knowledge.  As to the progress, well, suffice it to say that life expectancy
nearly doubled across the globe in the last two hundred years thanks to
scientific discoveries and technological innovations.  And that we also got
a Viagra in the mix?  Oh well, it is a small price to pay.

As to the sneering elitism - annoying, to be sure, but much lesser of an
evil than philistine anti-intellectualism.  It is not the sneering experts
who dynamite priceless historical monuments or burn books - not to mention
rounding up or killing intellectuals, whether they sneer or not.

Wojtek