> Jerry Coyne, author of the book and blog Why Evolution Is True, wrote ahead of the debate that "Nye's appearance will be giving money to organizations who try to <i></i><i>subvert the mission Nye has had all his life: science education, particularly of kids.</i><i></i>"<p>(emphasis mine)<p>I grew up watching Bill Nye, and I credit his fantastic book [Bill Nye The Science Guy's Big Blast Of Science][1] with really helping me develop a deep appreciation for science at a young age, as well as helping me to kick ass in my middle school science classes ;)<p>[1]: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Nye-Science-Guys-Blast/dp/0201608642" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Nye-Science-Guys-Blast/dp/0201608...</a><p>It's sad that in his attempt to help discredit creationism in that debate, he ended up helping to publicize it instead, and bail out its floundering ark museum.
This should be seen as an argument for choosing your venue, not an argument for refusing to debate.<p>Scientists (anyone) that demands some policy be made or changed have no leg to stand on if they refuse to debate opponents.<p>Science can take place in peer reviewed articles and in the halls of academia, but policy and laws are discussed in public streets and enacted by popular vote and publicly elected officials.