if Nature could vote

[nekrenas]

The journal Nature endorsed Barack Obama for president. When a friend told me this and sent me the link, my first reaction was, complete with caps, "God all these people are so histrionic. THE WORLD WILL NOT END IF MCCAIN WINS THE ELECTION." But then I read the endorsement (sorry, I think it might be gated) and I was at least pleased that they kept

Comments

[smandal]

Nature and Science see themselves as advocates of critical thought -- and I guess they think Obama is a slamdunk in this regard. However, I agree, a dangerous game endorsing a particular person or organization, instead of merely criticizing stupid policy.

Seed is unabashedly in the Obama camp for the same reason, but they have never shied from cultural commentary.

[smandal]

Two threads in a row! Sorry, correct link.

[nekrenas]

Yeah, "have never shied from cultural commentary" is an important part. I acknowledge Nature's reasonable status as potentially a lobby, but the fact that they haven't endorsed candidates in the past sets a certain kind of precedent that I think it might be valuable to adhere to.

I'm a little drunk now, so forgive any incoherence.