William Rolleston
William Rolleston, who chairs the Science Ministry's
Innovation Board, has voiced concern about New Zealand
promoting itself as a ''clean and green'' nation.
He was commenting in an address to about 320 graduates who
had just graduated from the University of Otago with a range
of qualifications, including in law, commerce and health
sciences, at a 1pm ceremony at the Regent Theatre, Dunedin,
on Saturday.
''No matter what degree you have chosen, a university
education teaches you one thing: how to think.
''The knowledge you have gained and the training you have had
has given you the ability to make many decisions
instinctively.
''I worry when we tout ourselves as a clean and green
country,'' he said.
This message had ''instant appeal and short-term popularity''
but relied on ''confirmation bias'' and was ''doomed in the
longer run''.
Discussing ''confirmation bias'' elsewhere in his address, Dr
Rolleston noted ''we are often too willing just to take
information we have been given to confirm our prejudice''.
• William Rolleston is a South Canterbury farmer and
company director and is vice-president of Federated
Farmers.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.