With so much speculation around what silly nickname Donald Trump will call Ron DeSantis, I wrote about associative learning & the psychology of name-calling along the campaign trail - and why it can be a surprisingly effective strategy. https://sheril.substack.com/p/ron-desanctimonious-and-the-psychology #science #politics #news

Imagine you’re a 25 year old staffer in Congress responsible for drafting legislation, meeting with constituents, writing speeches & responding to lobbyists. You also make recommendations for how your boss should vote.

Here's how you might start the day: https://sheril.substack.com/p/morning-on-the-hill #science #politics

Many congressional staffers I interview in my research say they wish that the same science groups visiting the other party's offices would also reach out to them.

When some staff feel ignored by scientists, they may not seek out their guidance on legislation.

The result is two different policy conversations happening on single issues by each party across Capitol Hill. That’s bad for democracy & chips away at the ability to compromise.

New post: https://sheril.substack.com/p/we-need-to-talk #politics

In 2007, a small group of concerned citizens co-founded the nonpartisan ngo Science Debate. The goal was simple: Science Debate asked presidential candidates to answer science policy questions related to issues like competitiveness, space exploration, & pandemic response.

Why? If candidates addressed #science issues, they should be more likely to arrive in office with a plan for how to deal with challenges related to health, tech & the environment. https://open.substack.com/pub/sheril/p/science-and-the-candidates?utm_source=direct&r=1j872&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web #politics

5 towering men filed into our conference room in the Hart Senate office building.

“Hello little lady,” one lightheartedly greeted me, glancing back at the door as if still waiting for someone.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I began. “What brings you here today?”

The group shifted in their seats, perhaps mildly irritated. I guessed they expected to speak directly with a U.S. senator rather than the 25yo woman sitting across from them.

Today, a story from my past: https://sheril.substack.com/p/the-oil-men #politics

Sweden only has a problem with burning the quran if and when it upsets Erdogan and hampers our inclusion to the nuclear weapons club known as Nato.

#Birdsite #Sweden #Politics #Nato #Racism #SwedishPM

President Biden has had our backs.

He really has.

We need to have his back now.

We know he isn’t a criminal.

We know he would never, under any circumstance, place national security at risk.

When we see the media try to trash his reputation, we need to call them out.

Don’t click on the clickbait, and turn the channel if a reporter tries to start a feeding frenzy.

Republicans are the danger.

#politics #biden

In #politics, consensus doesn’t require that information is correct or understood. Policymakers may even find that turning to experts for guidance doesn’t serve their needs or interests.

And even when they look for accurate data, they’re likely to disagree about what comprises expertise & evidence. After all, every DC think tank claims to deliver “the facts” in white papers & briefing materials, yet their conclusions rarely align. https://sheril.substack.com/p/do-facts-matter

TL/DR: Facts aren't enough.

I arrived as a Senate staffer in 2006 with a Masters in policy, but academic training did not prepare me for the job.

I spent my 1st morning marveling at how interested my colleagues seemed to be in “R&D,” assuming it reflected a shared appreciation of research & development (a term that broadly encompasses science policy issues). Science touches everything after all.

An hour later, I sheepishly discovered they were simply referring to Republicans & Democrats. https://sheril.substack.com/p/the-fiction-of-american-democracy #politics

When we elect U.S. Senators & House members to office, we expect them - and by extension, their office staff - to reflect the preferences & attitudes in our district or state. But do they actually know what constituents want?

It’s complicated, but the limited evidence we have so far suggests no.

New post: https://sheril.substack.com/p/representation #politics #Congress

Populism coupled with increasing assaults on scientific integrity have dramatically shifted the political landscape & contributed to geopolitical instability.

The policy ramifications are yet to be understood, but anti-intellectualism has threatened public health, stymied environmental progress, influenced funding priorities & sculpted the rhetoric of local, state & national politics.

New post: The Rise of Anti-intellectualism https://sheril.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-anti-intellectualism #science #politics

Monster Crash

#Humor #Politics #acappella #dragqueens #monster #EndtheGOP #NoMoreTrumpies #NoRepublicanVictorories