Colbert explains how he makes a decision
Last night, when Stephen Colbert explained to George Lucas (video link) why his entry in the Green Screen Challenge (video link) came in second after that of Bonnie R. – the winner – he illustrated one of the major blind spots in the use of science to support policy decisions. He carefully explained that there were 58 different decision criteria, which included: how heroic the video made him look, originality, and poise. But even after giving Lucas an extra point for showing up in person, and in spite of how he “really really nailed the look of those [star wars] movies,” Lucas came in second. I would have given Stephen a few kudos for making at least some of those criteria explicit but then he blew it when he told George “I would have given it to you but those were the scores – it’s out of my hands.” In other words, he refused to take any responsibility for the decision that he made.
Updated 10-17-06 to correct typos.
