Abstract

The recent debate on the proposed Acoustic Thermometry of Ocean Climate (ATOC) experiment has revealed sharp incongruities in approach by the public, their elected representatives and the scientists behind the program. It appears that much of the current outcry has arisen as a byproduct of rapidly evolving environmental attitudes and information technology, to which none of the key parties to the issue have yet fully adjusted. The process of dissemination and assimilation of scientific information that guides the progress of issues of increasing complexity is no longer in equilibrium with evolving technology. Specifically, it is argued that there are two crucial components to an incipient instability in public and official response to emerging scientific policy issues: 1) The extremely rapid and broad dissemination of information made possible by the information highway and 2) The great pressure to paraphrase and attempt to formulate a position without investing the full resources required to adequately comprehend the issues. The result is a socioeconomic 'loose cannon' that may seriously hurt innocent and guilty parties alike, but which may also help clear away anachronistic paradigms and provide the flexibility of response required to address EarthÂ's rapidly evolving environmental crises.