Melbourne Academic proposes Some Country Roads be cut to 80km/hr!!!!!!!!!!

[jpblue1000]

Originally Posted by superyob

I know it's a bit of a national sport to bash academics but many are hothouse flowers who sit in the hallowed halls of academia and pontificate to the rest of us plebs how things should operate. For such smart people, there is seemingly not a scrap of intelligence between many of them. That was my university experience anyway. Education is only useful if applied to the real world or lived experience... Data and facts can be used to suit any argument by selective presentation and omissions...

Certainly is a sport around here.
Given the scenario where 1-2 tonne projectiles manned by people whose skills range from 'Stunt driver' to barely competent shoe lace tiers hurtle across our vast road system whose opinion are we to listen to. The stunt driver who states speed limits are unconstitutional impediments to progress, the internet knob hiding behind a keyboard and online avatar or an 'Academic' whose job it is to research the cause and effect of societies actions, utilising the best in data gathering science and research abilities.
Yes Lies, damn lies and Statistics can be skewed tp prove almosrt anything, hence the peer review system in place on all University published papers.
Now I don't recall this thread starting as a result of a published paper, more so on the back of 'sensationalist' reporting of an opinion. Yes the Reported author has a history of publishing documents that call for speed reductions amongst other topics, it does not mean the 'Academic' is wrong.

Lastly, Its all well bitching and moaning about what someones researched opinion is, but they have managed to get themselves into a position of influence. They are obviously regarded as experts by those that need experts, and they may just use that influence to push their own agenda or that of their financier, should the peer review also agree, leaving the interweb heros, bandits and experts stand no chance of being heard.
If 'Academia' really are halfwits, then get your act together and provide a counter argument, peer review their findings, and counter their argument with science and better research. C'mon, its not hard even people with no real world experience are doing it. Imagine what you lot could do with your degrees and Doctorates from the school of life or school of hard Knocks or wherever you 'went' could achieve.

Im not an Academic either but value good research and regarded findings.

JP