Manufacturing Uncertainty

[midcan5]

Whether it be pollution, cancer, heart attack, or global warming, companies and scientists exist who will argue the effect is not related to the product. These 'product defense teams' are well funded for when money is concerned corporate officers are only too willing to create doubt. Examples abound: tobacco, aspirin use in children, Rofecoxib, alcohol use during pregnancy, acid rain, Beryllium, phenylpropanolamine, and on and on. Today any form of regulation is met with a Pavlovian response from a large segment of the population. It's seen as just another example of government regulation interfering in free market dynamics. The message here is so strong, a whole network of people come forward to defend industry over government and over people's health. It demonstrates the power of ideological propaganda over science, even over common sense.

This propagandist control is exhibited in other areas of American business culture as well. Take the outsourcing of American jobs as another example. Uncertainty and insecurity are created by claiming it is necessary for the survival of the company. Or the outsourcing is part of the new business model. Blame is created by pointing to taxes, unions, or government regulation as causes. Detailed information is contained in the books listed below.

Sources and information for the concerned citizen.

'Manufactured Uncertainty: Contested Science And The Protection Of The Public's Health and Environment, David Michaels
Above essay contained in 'Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance' Robert Proctor, Londa Schiebinger
'Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming' Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. M. Conway
'The Betrayal of the American Dream' Donald L. Barlett, James B. Steele
'Invisible Hands: The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal' Kim Phillips-Fein


"Corporate propaganda directed outwards, that is, to the public at large, has two main objectives: to identify the free enterprise system in popular consciousness with every cherished value, and to identify interventionist governments and strong unions (the only agencies capable of checking a complete domination of society by corporations) with tyranny, oppression and even subversion. The techniques used to achieve these results are variously called 'public relations', 'corporate communications' and 'economic education'." Alex Carey 'Taking the Risk out of Democracy'

 

[martybegan]

Whether it be pollution, cancer, heart attack, or global warming, companies and scientists exist who will argue the effect is not related to the product. These 'product defense teams' are well funded for when money is concerned corporate officers are only too willing to create doubt. Examples abound: tobacco, aspirin use in children, Rofecoxib, alcohol use during pregnancy, acid rain, Beryllium, phenylpropanolamine, and on and on. Today any form of regulation is met with a Pavlovian response from a large segment of the population. It's seen as just another example of government regulation interfering in free market dynamics. The message here is so strong, a whole network of people come forward to defend industry over government and over people's health. It demonstrates the power of ideological propaganda over science, even over common sense.

This propagandist control is exhibited in other areas of American business culture as well. Take the outsourcing of American jobs as another example. Uncertainty and insecurity are created by claiming it is necessary for the survival of the company. Or the outsourcing is part of the new business model. Blame is created by pointing to taxes, unions, or government regulation as causes. Detailed information is contained in the books listed below.

Sources and information for the concerned citizen.

'Manufactured Uncertainty: Contested Science And The Protection Of The Public's Health and Environment, David Michaels
Above essay contained in 'Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance' Robert Proctor, Londa Schiebinger
'Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming' Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. M. Conway
'The Betrayal of the American Dream' Donald L. Barlett, James B. Steele
'Invisible Hands: The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal' Kim Phillips-Fein


"Corporate propaganda directed outwards, that is, to the public at large, has two main objectives: to identify the free enterprise system in popular consciousness with every cherished value, and to identify interventionist governments and strong unions (the only agencies capable of checking a complete domination of society by corporations) with tyranny, oppression and even subversion. The techniques used to achieve these results are variously called 'public relations', 'corporate communications' and 'economic education'." Alex Carey 'Taking the Risk out of Democracy'

One can say the same thing about progressive statists, as thier solution to any situation is more regulation, more government, and thus more power for them.

I always find it comical when people are so afraid of corporations and yet welcome the stifiling embrace of big government with open arms.

 

[flacaltenn]

We now know for certain --- that when you elect Progressive Democrats --- the "uncertainty" becomes all consuming and stifles both the economy and innovation.. In concert with a healthy class war -- you can basically destroy a vibrant economy.. Just look out your window at the walking wounded that Obama has created.

As for the "science" aspect --- we are WAAAY past health and safety issues when the EPA is allowed to go rogue and declare that the gas that comes out of your mouth --- is a dangerous pollutant...

Stuff your books and YOUR VERSION of science.. YOU are my enemy....

 

[midcan5]

I have no idea what to make of the two replies above. One make the bizarre comparison, the usual anti government spiel, the other like a trained seal repeats the same nonsense. Do right wingnuts even read? The ideas in the books above explain a lot about thought control, the respondents demonstrate its effect. But to give a real world example here is an excerpt for the reader who can still think on their own.

"Since 1986, every bottle of aspirin sold in the United States has included a label advising parents that aspirin consumption by children with viral illnesses greatly increases their risk of developing Reye's syndrome. Before that mandatory warning was required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the toll from this disease, for which the cause is unknown, was substantial: 555 cases reported in one year, 1980, and with many others probably missed, because the syndrome is easily misdiagnosed. One in three diagnosed children died.'

Today, less than a handful of Reye's Syndrome cases are reported each year. While the disappearance of Reye's Syndrome is often considered a public health triumph, it is a bittersweet one, because an untold number of children were disabled or died while the aspirin manufacturers delayed the FDA's regulation by arguing that the four scientific studies establishing the aspirin link were incomplete, uncertain, unclear. The industry raised seventeen specific "flaws" in the four studies and insisted that more reliable ones were needed.' The medical community knew of the danger, thanks to an alert issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), but parents were kept in the dark. Despite a federal advisory committee's concurrence with the CDC's conclusions about the link, the industry issued a public service announcement claiming, "We do know that no medication has been proven to cause Reyes" (emphasis in the original}."

The manufacturer's campaign and the dilatory procedures of the White House's Office of Management and Budget delayed a public education program for two years and mandatory labels for two more.""" Essay noted above.

 

[flacaltenn]

That's a cool deflection from your own topic..

Please explain how the evil corporation and dupe scientists in the UK didn't arrive at a QUICKER conclusion about the epidemiology evidence on aspirin.. Both countries waited for the science confirmation and recommended labels at almost the same time.

When Leftists tell science stories --- it's more fairytale monster under the bed --- than fact..

 

[Old Rocks]

My best freind, first cousin, and fellow millwright died of a cancer associated with asbestos exposure. Yet asbestos was known to cause cancers and other problems in 1900. But industry spokesmen were denying the affects of asbestos exposure right up to the end of the 20th century. In spite of the testimony of the graveyard in Libby, Montana.

Industry cannot be trusted to self police. We have seen that with environmental and health issues since the beginning of this nation.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

Whether it be pollution, cancer, heart attack, or global warming, companies and scientists exist who will argue the effect is not related to the product. These 'product defense teams' are well funded for when money is concerned corporate officers are only too willing to create doubt. Examples abound: tobacco, aspirin use in children, Rofecoxib, alcohol use during pregnancy, acid rain, Beryllium, phenylpropanolamine, and on and on. Today any form of regulation is met with a Pavlovian response from a large segment of the population. It's seen as just another example of government regulation interfering in free market dynamics. The message here is so strong, a whole network of people come forward to defend industry over government and over people's health. It demonstrates the power of ideological propaganda over science, even over common sense.

This propagandist control is exhibited in other areas of American business culture as well. Take the outsourcing of American jobs as another example. Uncertainty and insecurity are created by claiming it is necessary for the survival of the company. Or the outsourcing is part of the new business model. Blame is created by pointing to taxes, unions, or government regulation as causes. Detailed information is contained in the books listed below.

Sources and information for the concerned citizen.

'Manufactured Uncertainty: Contested Science And The Protection Of The Public's Health and Environment, David Michaels
Above essay contained in 'Agnotology: The Making and Unmaking of Ignorance' Robert Proctor, Londa Schiebinger
'Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming' Naomi Oreskes, Erik M. M. Conway
'The Betrayal of the American Dream' Donald L. Barlett, James B. Steele
'Invisible Hands: The Businessmen's Crusade Against the New Deal' Kim Phillips-Fein


"Corporate propaganda directed outwards, that is, to the public at large, has two main objectives: to identify the free enterprise system in popular consciousness with every cherished value, and to identify interventionist governments and strong unions (the only agencies capable of checking a complete domination of society by corporations) with tyranny, oppression and even subversion. The techniques used to achieve these results are variously called 'public relations', 'corporate communications' and 'economic education'." Alex Carey 'Taking the Risk out of Democracy'

"Why are there no lab tests for Global Warming?"