Kenapa Kebijakan Kita Serba Latah? - Endgame Bersama @gwirjawan | Episode #152

Summary

The transcript highlights the critical role of epistemology and scientific thinking in addressing pressing societal and environmental issues in Indonesia, such as pollution, sustainability, and climate change. It emphasizes the need for collaboration between scientists and policymakers to move from reactive to proactive strategies. The speaker underscores the importance of leveraging Indonesia's unique scientific heritage and geographical advantages while promoting interdisciplinary approaches to problem-solving. The conversation also calls for greater involvement of scientific institutions like AIPI to drive evidence-based decision-making and innovative solutions for the nation's challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Epistemology, the study of knowledge, is crucial for understanding what is true and false in governance and leadership.
• 😀 Scientific thinking should be prioritized to address environmental problems, such as pollution and deforestation, effectively.
• 😀 Indonesia faces challenges in integrating scientific voices into policy-making, especially on critical environmental issues like pollution.
• 😀 The lack of collaboration between scientists and policymakers hampers effective decision-making in Indonesia.
• 😀 The scientific approach should involve skepticism, experimentation, and critical thinking, which is essential in solving complex problems.
• 😀 Indonesia should promote scientific thinking, especially in the context of climate change and sustainability, in a way that is culturally relevant.
• 😀 There is a need for interdisciplinary collaboration in science, as complex problems cannot be solved by a single field alone.
• 😀 Institutions like the Indonesian Academy of Sciences should play a more prominent role in national policymaking on scientific issues.
• 😀 Indonesia's unique geographical and cultural context should be acknowledged and leveraged in global scientific discourse.
• 😀 The country should foster its own narrative in science, reflecting on its history and contributions to fields like earth science and medicine.
• 😀 Indonesia’s position as an archipelago offers advantages in addressing environmental issues, and innovative technologies like electric boats should be explored.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in the transcript?

The main topic revolves around the importance of epistemology in addressing practical scientific issues, particularly in relation to pollution, environmental sustainability, and interdisciplinary collaboration in Indonesia.

What does 'epistemology' refer to in the context of the discussion?

Epistemology refers to the study of how we know what is true and how we distinguish between what is right and wrong. The speaker emphasizes the importance of applying epistemological thinking, especially scientific reasoning, to solve real-world problems.

Why is epistemology considered important for leadership in a country?

Epistemology is important for leadership because it helps in making informed decisions based on scientific knowledge and skepticism, leading to better problem-solving in areas such as pollution, environmental sustainability, and other scientific issues.

What role do scientists play in addressing environmental issues like pollution?

Scientists are crucial for providing evidence and solutions for environmental issues like pollution. The speaker highlights the lack of scientific involvement in policy-making in Indonesia, which leads to ineffective responses to problems like pollution.

What is meant by 'scientific thinking' and why is it important?

Scientific thinking refers to a mindset based on experimentation, skepticism, and open-mindedness. It is essential because it helps to approach problems logically and rigorously, ensuring that solutions are grounded in evidence rather than assumptions.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate scientific leadership?

The speaker references the UK during the pandemic, where the Chief Medical Officer, John Van-Gul, utilized scientific authority and expertise to guide public health decisions. This demonstrates the value of having leaders who are deeply rooted in scientific knowledge.

Why is there a need for collaboration between various institutions, including academics and policymakers?

Collaboration is necessary because many modern problems, especially environmental ones, are interdisciplinary and cannot be solved by experts from a single field alone. For example, issues like pollution and deforestation require input from various scientific disciplines and policymakers.

What is the significance of Indonesia’s geographical position in addressing scientific challenges?

Indonesia's position as an archipelago provides a unique advantage for addressing environmental and scientific challenges, such as marine conservation. The country is home to vital ecosystems like coral reefs, which are sources of bioprospecting for new medicines and sustainability.

How does the speaker view the relationship between traditional knowledge and modern science?

The speaker emphasizes that traditional knowledge, particularly from Indonesia’s history, plays a significant role in shaping modern scientific fields like earth sciences. The example of the volcanic knowledge from the Javanese culture illustrates how indigenous wisdom has contributed to global scientific understanding.

What is the critique of Indonesia's current approach to policy-making and science?

The critique is that Indonesia often reacts to problems without fully understanding their scientific foundations. Policies are frequently made without incorporating interdisciplinary research, leading to ineffective or reactive measures instead of proactive, evidence-based solutions.