The Federal Scientist's Decalogue Against a Demagogue
A post from a fellow civil servant scientist
The below piece was submitted by a civil servant scientist who requested to remain anonymous.
I. Thou Shalt Uphold Scientific Integrity: Maintain rigorous and transparently documented data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Let evidence be thy guide, even when it contradicts prevailing political narratives.
II. Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness: Do not distort, fabricate, or suppress scientific findings to appease political agendas. Present results accurately and transparently.
III. Thou Shalt Not Censor Thyself Preemptively: Do not self-censor out of fear. Communicate research findings clearly and honestly.
IV. Thou Shalt Seek Refuge in the Bureaucracy: Utilize established procedures, documentation, and review processes to shield thy work from undue political interference. Whence the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Administrative Procedures Act, the Information Quality Act, and the Evidence Act was once thine enemy, tis no longer.
V. Thou Shalt Cultivate Allies: Build relationships both within and outside the government - include counsel, the press, and Congressional staff in a network of support that can provide strength, resilience, and protection.
VI. Thou Shalt Remember Thine Oath: Thou hast taken an oath to serve the public and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Let that be thy guiding star. Prioritize the well-being of the people and the integrity of scientific knowledge.
VII. Thou Shalt Blow Thine Whistle: If thou witnessest unethical or illegal actions that put the public or scientific integrity at risk, expose them through appropriate channels.
VIII. Thou Shalt Not Succumb to Despair: Maintain hope and persevere, even in the face of adversity. Remember that political tides can turn and have faith in the midterms and the subsequent end of term.
IX. Thou Shalt Prepare for the Long Game: Document any instances of political interference or censorship into science meticulously. These records may be crucial for future accountability and reform and judicious use of documentation can be useful should an issue be FOIA’d.
X. Thou Shalt Know When to Draw the Line: If thine ethical boundaries are irreparably breached, be prepared to resign in protest. Sometimes, the most powerful act of defiance is to vacate - but leave loudly, bravely, and make sure the public knows all about the offending acts.
That’s it for today - Thank you so much for reading SciLight!
If you enjoyed today’s post, please like it or share it with others. You can also support the work we do to shine a light on the politicization of science by becoming a paid subscriber!
If you want to share today’s post as a web page with your network, click this button:
If you have suggestions, questions, comments, or want to drop us a line - send it all to scilightsubstack@gmail.com