There is no social benefit in providing data to people acting in bad faith, and so it’s easier to just not give them your data
I am not sure I agree with that. I think I would phrase my position as “There is social benefit in providing data to absolutely everyone without any prequalifications”.
For example the Freedom of Information Act says government must provide certain kinds of information on request. It doesn’t get to peek into the requester’s mind and decide whether there was “bad faith” or “good faith”. I think it’s a very good thing that it doesn’t.
Similarly, I think science should provide supporting data to everyone who asks (subject to reasonable limits tied to the costs of providing data). In particular, scientists should stand ready to provide data to their worst critics regardless of what they think of their theories, competency, or fashion sense.
And yes, Climategate brought into the open a rather large fail in that respect on the part of pro-warming crowd (among other things).
Similarly, I think science should provide supporting data to everyone who asks (subject to reasonable limits tied to the costs of providing data). In particular, scientists should stand ready to provide data to their worst critics regardless of what they think of their theories, competency, or fashion sense.
Agreed that this is the most truth-seeking policy. I specified “social benefit” because I don’t think the two line up.
I am not sure I agree with that. I think I would phrase my position as “There is social benefit in providing data to absolutely everyone without any prequalifications”.
For example the Freedom of Information Act says government must provide certain kinds of information on request. It doesn’t get to peek into the requester’s mind and decide whether there was “bad faith” or “good faith”. I think it’s a very good thing that it doesn’t.
Similarly, I think science should provide supporting data to everyone who asks (subject to reasonable limits tied to the costs of providing data). In particular, scientists should stand ready to provide data to their worst critics regardless of what they think of their theories, competency, or fashion sense.
And yes, Climategate brought into the open a rather large fail in that respect on the part of pro-warming crowd (among other things).
Agreed that this is the most truth-seeking policy. I specified “social benefit” because I don’t think the two line up.