From: Harvey Newstrom (mail@HarveyNewstrom.com)
Date: Sun Jul 28 2002 - 13:26:44 MDT
On Sunday, July 28, 2002, at 03:23 pm, Sehkenenra wrote:
> ever notice how authors in the New Age section almost always put
> Dr., PhD, or what-have-you next to their names, but the authors in the
> Science section seldom, if ever, bother?
No, I have not noticed that. In fact, religiosity decreases with an
increased level of education. Most new-age PhD's are from
non-accredited schools or are self-declared degrees. Real science uses
real credentials. Of course, what you are referencing above are popular
writers and best-seller's advertising. They might have different goals
than would be used by scientists publishing actual research. I doubt in
the latter case that any scientist would leave off their credentials.
Maybe these credentials aren't used because they aren't as directly
critical to the activity at hand. I have not noticed a lack of
credentials or credential-checking when it comes to medical doctors,
lawyers, accountants, tax attorneys, pilots, electricians, etc. People
don't want unqualified people working directly on their stuff. Maybe
they are willing to forego background checks for discussion purposes,
but not when it comes to actually getting results.
If we were actually forming an extropian company to produce a futuristic
technology and paying people big bucks, I think there would be a much
higher interest in checking out people's actual experience and
background before excepting their claims.
-- Harvey Newstrom, CISSP <www.HarveyNewstrom.com> Principal Security Consultant <www.Newstaff.com>
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