Can ideas be dangerous?

Abstract

Science thrives on ideas, and within its domain no idea is inherently dangerous. However, interpretations of science, and applications of misinterpretations in policies have potential to be dangerous to scientists, science itself, the broader society and the environment. I discuss a number of examples of dangers from outside science where conclusions reached by practitioners in other in other disciplines may lead to confusion as to what the science says. In particular I present an extensive discussion of Gammage's Biggest Estate, suggesting that the evidence for universal application of one Law applied to land management over the entire continent for many thousands of years is not strong, and that other interpretations should be tested. Assumptions that the British colonists were unfamiliar with fire in the environment are questioned.