In an earlier thread with Alex R. Blackwell, I voiced my concern about people like Barry D. and G. Levin setting themselves up with semi-fradulent credentials as academics. They have successfully setup a mock astrobiology institute (promoting their pseudo-science) with an obscure university in the United Kingdom. Alex dismissed my concern by saying that the genuine scientists know who the frauds are and that the real issue was informing the general public. However this stock reply really skirts past the fundamental issue of funding. If the general public is being dumbed down by the news media and con artists then who is going to provide funding for genuine science? It will be frittered away to frauds who are skilled at manipulating a corrupt infotainment industry. The frauds will always have an advantage because their deceits will provide more immediate entertainment.

Gary