Election '08
Alumni Advise the Next President
In September, Wired magazine singled out "15 People The Next President Should Listen To" and invited them to give advice to the next commander in chief. Three of the 15 advisees got their start at MIT, raising an obvious question: What do other alums think? The Alumni Association contacted a Peace Corps volunteer, an Air Force officer, a filmmaker, and five other alums and asked what pearls of wisdom they would bestow on America's next president.
Herman A. Rediess PhD '69
Apply Innovative High-tech to Homeland Security
Herman A. Rediess PhD '69, lead for the transition programs in the explosives division, Department of Homeland Security
The nation must be prepared to defend against 9/11 scale attacks of determined, intelligent, and highly innovative terrorists by applying one of our best resources to the problem-the innovative high-tech community. Terrorists are likely to select targets with enormous economic and psychological impact. The free and open society that we cherish requires us to be more innovative in our security approach.
Our high-tech industry has been the engine for the20th century prosperity. The new administration needs to motivate our brightest and most innovative people who power this industry to apply their talents to this problem. We need them to develop technologies, procedures, and policies to prevent attacks on high-value targets without sacrificing our personal freedoms. It needs to be addressed as a system problem, starting with what motivates terrorists, to selection of targets, acquisition of resources, attack planning, and execution.
By challenging those bright people, I believe the nation can achieve layered defense solutions to protect our people, property, and economy.
Emily V. Wade '45
Strengthen Science Education
Emily V. Wade '45, president, Museum Institute for Teaching Science
The new president needs to put the improvement of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teaching at the K-8 levels at the top of the educational improvement list.
We are behind other developed countries in having students who can think critically, can understand, and are interested in STEM subjects. The U.S. needs to inspire and excite its students once again in STEM. We need to start immediately to train future scientists, engineers, technologists, and entrepreneurs. We need everyone to be at least aware and minimally capable in science and mathematics so that they can supply the backup support needed to turn the inventions into viable industrial and economic opportunities. We need a public with an understanding of science and engineering, so as to support the industries of the future. We can't wait for new curricula to be developed and adopted, we have to act now. The quickest way is to train current teachers in inquiry-based, hands-on, minds-on methods of teaching. By training students in asking questions, developing experiments to solve them, collecting data, drawing conclusions, and reporting either orally or in writing, they will develop a skill that will serve them well throughout their life whether in school, their job, or their personal lives.
Thomas Billingsley SM '06
Upgrade the Air Traffic System
Thomas Billingsley SM '06, airfield operations Officer, U.S. Air Force
Air travel demand is estimated to double over the next 20 years. Our current air traffic control systems are not designed to handle this expected increase in volume. Recent aircraft near-misses and runway incursions, along with delays caused by congestion and inefficiency, have highlighted the need for a major update to our air traffic system. One step of this process is the proposed FAA mandate of automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) equipage on aircraft by 2020. Implementation of systems such as ADS-B is important, but in the short term, keeping air traffic controllers employed and properly trained must also be a central focus.
We face the challenge of a retiring air traffic control workforce. Those new employees without prior military service enter the FAA's aging facilities with little or no experience and need to be trained by qualified, seasoned controllers. Due to air traffic congestion, controller workload is increasing. These issues lead to a troublesome outlook under the watch of the next administration.
Research initiatives are underway that aim to increase safety by transforming select processes in both the en route and terminal air traffic control environments. The next president should continue support for these next-generation projects while funding the FAA to improve work conditions, maintain high standards for hiring and training controllers, and implement the systems our engineers are developing. As long as we choose to travel by air, keeping our skies safe should be a top presidential priority.
Jennifer Law '01
Dream Big
Jennifer Law '01, emergency medicine resident, UC Davis Medical Center
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy boldly announced the national goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth before the end of the decade, at a time when it was unclear whether such a feat was possible. The nation took up his challenge, landing not just one, but 12 astronauts on the moon and, in the process, invented new technologies and materials that we still enjoy to this day. America can do great things when we have a clear vision and the political will to tackle even seemingly impossible problems. From human exploration of Mars and beyond to reversing climate change, from establishing an affordable health care system to ending the obesity epidemic, no problem is too big. When we as a nation are inspired to pursue lofty dreams, we will discover new frontiers, grow our economy, and make the world a better place.
Jacqueline Eden '89
Love the People You Lead
Jacqueline Eden '89, owner, Eden Organics
Dear Mr. President,
I encourage you to cultivate in yourself a love for the people you now lead. The implications of such a proposal are far-reaching, affecting every sphere of your governance from foreign policy, to domestic affairs, and even the financial realm. Allow me to illustrate this in the arena of environmental concerns.
Many today look to the government for programs and legislation to care for the environment. Industrialized humans have been prone to pillaging the lower creatures and fellow humans for short term profit. What policy reflects both a love of the people and a responsible stewardship of the environment? Loving your people will be a difficult task: discerning between differing interests and values.
Mr. President, the only possible solution is to appeal to the higher authority, the one who created: you, your people, this wonderful earth and its amazing creatures. Can you love a creature, neighbor, or flower if you don't love the One who made them? Jesus Christ, He is the One who tells you to "love the Lord your God" and "love your neighbor as yourself"; who instructs us to protect species by not taking a mother from a nest of helpless young and by not killing the young with its parent. He tells us: "the righteous man regards the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel." The environment is God's creation set aside for man to take dominion! If we fail to take responsible dominion and pollute unrestrainedly, neither us nor the beasts will survive.
Peter Finin '01
Enable Americans to Engage Personally with the World
Peter Finin '01, Peace Corps volunteer, Tanzania
As billions claw their way out of poverty, the EU slowly continues to coordinate itself, and a few petro states claim an increasingly large share of the world's money. The political topology is changing, and looks set to continue doing so indefinitely. The days of the U.S. enjoying an unquestioned economic lead on the rest of the world are numbered, which will inevitably mean our military lead will one day diminish as well.
If we want to enjoy peace, to exercise global leadership, and to spread our values, now more than ever we need the goodwill and understanding of the world.
Fortunately, this is easy. Americans have always been the best advertisement for America. Unfortunately, making visa procedures more difficult has slashed the number of foreign students in the U.S., especially from the countries where we could most use a boost in understanding and appreciation.
So here's my advice. Win back the foreign university students we've lost. Treat our guests from other countries respectfully. Increase exchange programs of all sorts... Get more Americans studying or doing work overseas in ways that put them in intimate daily contact with average people. Our values are strong enough that to spread them; all we have to do is show them to people personally. And we might just learn a thing or two about the rest of the world as well.
Andrew Silver '64, SM '67
Develop Qualities of Reflection, Consideration, and Contemplation
Andrew Silver '64, SM '67, filmmaker, Silver Productions
I am a parent, educator, and filmmaker working in a very active world.
I am a member of the Council for the Arts at MIT.
I recommend developing qualities of reflection, consideration, and contemplation.
How might people nurture balance in themselves, their families, their colleagues, and the general population?
By encouraging and modeling behavior that achieves balance.
This would include meditation, sports, and the appreciation of the achievements of others.
M. Eric Carreño '99, SM '03
Allow All People Access to Education
M. Eric Carreño '99, SM '03, operations manager, Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
Education is the gateway to opportunity, Mr. President. My parents were born in a small rural village in Mexico. My grandparents could barely read or write. My father received only a basic grammar school education, while my mother learned to read at her local church. And yet my parents understood the value of education and afforded each one of their children the education they never had. I went to public school, participated in team sports, played in the school band, and studied every day. I learned first hand that education is a privilege, one too many around the world lack. From my parents, I learned also the importance of other forms and venues of education: when they came to the United States, they learned English by watching Sesame Street and the Electric Company on PBS. My life today is not the life of my parents and far removed from that of my grandparents thanks to the opportunities that have become available through an education system that was available to all.
Education should be a right to everyone in this country and should not be made into a politically divisive issue. From pre-kindergarten programs such as Head Start to Adult English as a Second Language Programs and student loan programs, creating a robust and comprehensive education system available to everyone is key to success of this country.
