[supernova87a]

Since you bring it up, I agree with you!

I would say that in the past, the engaged and well-informed public (and few honestly) were valued by the policy/decision makers because they generally were or closely related to the decision makers.

The democratization of opinion and influence has not gone well for technical experts and correct information getting to (or influencing) people in positions of responsibility.

Everyone (no matter how ill-informed) is so able to issue opinions and "make their voices heard" that people in responsibility get confused who they should worry about satisfying.

Sometimes democracy (and democratization of information) is not a purely good thing.

[phkahler]

>> that people in responsibility get confused who they should worry about satisfying.

That's a problem too. Worry about who to satisfy compromises science, truth and long term goals.