Hawaiʻi's Technology Community

March for Science

Event Details

Time: April 22, 2017 from 3pm to 7pm
Location: Bachman Lawn, University of Hawaii
City/Town: Honolulu, HI
Website or Map: http://marchforsciencehawaii.…
Event Type: celebration, of, science
Organized By: Philip Johnson
Latest Activity: Apr 21, 2017

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Event Description

I want to invite all of you to attend the March for Science this Saturday from 3-6pm on Bachman Lawn. There will be speakers, tables with representatives from dozens of science organizations, interactive exhibits, music, and food trucks. And, of course, a 1 mile march.

You might be thinking, "Why should I attend? What's in it for me? Does my presence really make a difference? I don't care about politics, I don't think it affects me."

My answer to all of you, especially those decades younger than me, is that the reason you should attend is because your career and future prospects are intimately bound to the way our society views science, and that the benefits and importance of science are under attack like never before in my lifetime.

For example, the current administration proposes deep cuts to a spectrum of science-oriented organizations (http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/3/16/14940444/2018-budget-trump-science-nih).

The administration has also begun deleting open data from government web sites (https://sunlightfoundation.com/tracking-u-s-government-data-removed-from-the-internet-during-the-trump-administration/).

Just in case it isn't clear, these actions will have a trickle down effect to the private sector. As just one example, defunding ARPA-E will mean that various energy-related startups who depended upon this organization will go out of business. Those startups provided interesting, high paying job opportunities that you won't be able to compete for when you graduate, because they won't exist.

So, please devote just a couple hours of your upcoming weekend to showing your support for science. Our leaders will be watching to see whether this is an issue that people truly care about. Do you want your legislators to stand up for science, and in so doing, provide future opportunities to you and to those you care about? Here's a great way to make your voice heard.

See you there!

http://marchforsciencehawaii.com