JamesWNealI'm not a scientist, but was too smart to try and play one on TV.
What I did was try to be a bridge between scientists and the public.
They'd say it their way. I'd say what I thought they'd said. They'd then tell me where I was wrong, eventually getting me to a point where what I'd tell the public was accurate, if not as complete, as nuanced as what they tried to convey to me in the first place.
I am not and never will be, an Elon.
#introduction
JamesWNealI worked at a state environmental agency in Democratic & Republican administrations, saw the good & bad of both. I saw people in both administrations trying to find solutions, but also people working hard to prevent solutions from being implemented.
I became the de-facto state spokesperson for a proposed regional low-level radioactive waste disposal facility, did the revolving door thing, became disillusioned, burned out, dropped out.
So yeah, I know about personal harassment. #introduction
JamesWNealEven today, some 30 years later, I shake when I talk about some of those years.
I honestly thought it possible to have civil discussions, mutually work out solutions, get them implemented.
I didn't know then the history of weaponizing misinformation, vilifying scientists, weaponizing people by leveraging & amplifying fear.
Why I ever thought social media would be the solution, not just another means of delivering payloads is beyond me.
But I'm still trying. #introduction