Is it enough that scientists only publish their findings? Or should they actively promote them? In many cases the answer is the latter. If the researcher believes the world would be a substantially better place if their research findings were implemented, they must render their results generally understandable and pass them to decision-makers and theContinue reading “Should scientists act?”
Author Archives: Rod O'Connor PhD
The woods of Ox Mountain
The woods of Ox Mountain – what humanity must do to save itself and its planet
Facts, not religion, will save us
Daniel Patrick Moynihan is reported to have said, ‘Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.’ We need facts to make the right decisions; the truth helps us. Conversely, mistaken beliefs are dangerous. If we are threatened, we must see the threat in all its enormity. Otherwise, we won’t act withContinue reading “Facts, not religion, will save us”
Darling Sweet Pea
Somewhere between 2 pm and 5 pm on the 20th of May 2012, in Fremantle, Western Australia, Sweet Pea died. She was only nine months old, in magpie years, an early adolescent. A human family, who knew her well, were shocked to find her lying dead beneath a post supporting a power line, her feetContinue reading “Darling Sweet Pea”
Making Peace with Nature
On February 18 the UN released a report on the planet’s health
Australia’s PM – lessons from Cicero
December 7 was the anniversary of the assassination of Cicero, the Roman statesman, orator and Sceptic. He is known for maintaining that humankind keeps making the same six ‘mistakes.’ One was ‘attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do,’ and Australia’s recent emotional attacks on China bring this to mind. Despite Australia’sContinue reading “Australia’s PM – lessons from Cicero”
Will China believe Australia?
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently said Australia does not wish to choose between China and the USA, and Australia will not be America’s deputy sheriff. Despite current bad relations, China will believe him if Morrison now speaks respectfully of China in Australia as well as overseas, for his followers will then mold their valuesContinue reading “Will China believe Australia?”
What people remember – Australia Japan Defence Pact
This morning an interview was broadcast on ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Commission) with Peter Jennings, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, where he commented on the recently announced defense agreement between Australia and Japan. This he supported, and interpreted as being directed at China. All in all, he was pleased with theContinue reading “What people remember – Australia Japan Defence Pact”
Rod O'Connor 