Journal Entry: BP Oil Spill Debate

200-400 words
a. WHOI Scientist

b. Experts have intellectual and emotional stakes in knowledge.  Describe the principle(s) that guide members in your area of expertise.  Include at least two principles. 

While it is impossible to classify all scientists into the same group where they all have the same principles, I can describe some principles that would guide me as a scientist and might guide others as well. In the debate I was specifically an environmental scientist looking at the spill with regard to the damage done to animal and plant communities.

Usually if someone studies something in depth, they start to develop an emotional attachment to it. I think if I really were a scientist, I would feel sympathy for the animals hurt from the spill and I think other scientists feel the same way. Because of this, one of their principles would be to conduct their tests and research in such a way as not to harm the environment.

Another principle that I think is valued by scientists is that conclusions should be true to the data collected. I know from writing my labs that I need to carefully study the data before making decisive conclusions. If I don't do this, my teacher (a scientist) will take points off my lab.


c. Describe the influence that the opinion(s) of an expert in another area (outside your constituent group) had on your opinion(s).  Give at least one specific example.

Before the debate, I thought badly of BP. I thought that they weren't doing a good job of cleaning up the spill and that they were handling the crisis in the wrong ways. However, as I listened to BP group members, they said that they were doing all they could to help. I know that a lot of times this can be stated insincerely, but it made me wonder if maybe BP really is doing all they can. They do have a huge and very difficult responsibility.

Listening to the Gulf Residence representatives also affected my thinking. Stories from every day people added emotion and a sense of realness to the crisis. Rather than just numbers and facts, it became a very real event. It made the data come alive.



d. Compare the positive features and limitations of expert opinion; create a pair of lists.  Include at least two strengths and at least two weaknesses.

Positive:
Experienced
-they know how to collect data well
-they know how to interpret data well
Knowledgeable
-because they are experts they would be able to think of significant factors that other people would never understand

Negative:
They might not be able to see other points of view
If they are biased towards something, they might give a biased report on their findings
-however people would probably trust them solely on the fact that they are experts


e. Comment on the responsibility that your constituent group has for (i) the occurrence of the BP Oil Spill in April 2010, and (ii) the restoration efforts in the Gulf region.

Because scientist could probably have best predicted the possible negative effects of a spill, they should have realized the importance of preventing a spill and should have done more to enforce rules to protect the environment.

We need to provide information about what happened before, during and after the spill; data about what we have accomplished so far and about how we could improve; and we need to speculate about the negative effects of the spill in the future and how best to counter act them.

(Word Count: About 500 minus the questions)