Aaron Muderick Writes About Amateur Science in The New York Times

Congratulations to Society for Amateur Scientist member and The Citizen Scientist contributor Aaron Muderick for scoring a significant mark for citizen science by having an important letter on amateur science published in The New York Times. Although the web is posing a major challenge to most newspapers, The New York Times remains one of the world's most widely read newspapers.

Here is Aaron's letter as it appeared in the Times:

October 22, 2006

To the Editor:

An Oct. 14 front-page article describes the trouble amateur rocketeers are having obtaining the rocket fuel necessary for their hobby.

This difficulty is part of a larger government crackdown on amateur science, which comes at a time when amateurs are making significant discoveries. The image of modern American innovation is the garage inventor, yet we are telling our youth that experimenting and discovery are best left to professionals.

These restrictions are not limited to rocket hobbyists. Amateur pyrotechnics, chemists, biotechnologists, collectors of certain minerals and many other hobbies have been negatively affected by new regulations.

Overregulation based on fear and bureaucratic behavior will ensure the decline of our technological and economic competitiveness over the next 50 years.

Aaron Muderick
Narberth, Pa., Oct. 18, 2006
The writer is a member of the Society of Amateur Scientists.

The Times shortened Aaron's letter, and he kindly provided the uncut version:

To the Editor:

Thank you for “A Cult of Backyard Rocketeers Keeps the Solid Fuel Burning” (front page, Oct. 14), which describes the trouble amateur rocketeers are having obtaining the rocket fuel necessary for their hobby.

This difficulty is part of a larger government crackdown on amateur science that comes at a time when amateurs are making significant discoveries and innovations. The image of modern American innovation is the garage inventor, yet we are telling our youth that experimenting and discovery are best left to professionals. Would the Wright brothers have been considered professionals before or even after their flight at Kitty Hawk? Would Silicon Valley exist if computer engineers needed to pass government licensing before practicing their craft? After all, programmers can write viruses and worms as easily as they may invent the next iTunes.

These government restrictions are not just limited to rocket hobbyists. Amateur pyrotechnics, chemists, biotechnologists, collectors of certain minerals and many other hobbies have been negatively affected by new regulations issued by a variety of government agencies.

In many cases, rather than regulating behavior it finds objectionable, the government has curtailed amateur science by leaning on supply companies so that they refuse to sell product to individuals or the academically unaffiliated.

The message seems to be: If your hobby has a 'dual-use' with a movie-plot fear factor then you should find a different hobby. Overregulation based on fear and bureaucratic behavior will ensure the decline of America’s technological and economic competitiveness over the next 50 years.

Aaron Muderick
Narberth, Pa., Oct. 18, 2006
The writer is a member of the Society of Amateur Scientists.

Forrest M. Mims III