| August 20, 2008 |  |
UCS Announces 2008 Winner of Annual Cartoon Contest Highlighting Political Interference in Science
Justin Bilicki wins Science Idol
WASHINGTON (August 20, 2008) – The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) announced the winner of its 2008 "Science Idol: Scientific Integrity Editorial Cartoon Contest," which draws attention to the growing problem of political interference in federal government science.
Justin Bilicki, of Brooklyn, New York has earned the title of America's "Science Idol" with his winning cartoon. It depicts a scientist presenting his research findings that conclude: "We are destroying the Earth." Two government officials look on. The official holding a briefcase with money spilling out of it, says, "Could you kindly rephrase that in equivocal, inaccurate, vague, self-serving, and roundabout terms that we can all understand?"
See the winning cartoon at www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol. The original watercolor print has been put up for auction by the artist on the contest Web page, with all proceeds going to UCS.
The "Science Idol" competition, which drew entries from hundreds of artists of all ages from across the United States, seeks to spark conversation about how to prevent government leaders from censoring, manipulating and distorting scientists' findings on issues ranging from public health to global warming.
"It has become increasingly difficult to trust anything or anyone associated with power," said Bilicki. "If you can simplify social and political messages, they become powerful and influential. Drawing this cartoon was my small effort at fixing this large problem."
Bilicki, who grew up in Livonia, Michigan has a long history of mixing cartooning and science. He says he never got less than an "A" in a science class. But he didn't succeed by writing down scientific formulas or taking detailed notes on the theories he was learning. He drew them.
His entry was one of hundreds UCS received for the contest. The submissions were first narrowed down to 12 finalists with help from award-winning cartoonists including Dave Coverly, the creator of "Speed Bump;" Wiley Miller, the creator of "Non Sequitur;" Kevin Kallaugher (KAL), editorial cartoonist at the Economist; Mike Keefe, editorial cartoonist at the Denver Post; Signe Wilkinson, the Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist at the Philadelphia Daily News; and Jesse Springer, the 2007 Science Idol. After more than 20,000 votes were cast, Bilicki's cartoon came out on top. In addition to holding the title of national "Science Idol," Bilicki will receive a cash prize and a trip to Washington, D.C.
All 12 cartoonists selected as finalists will be featured in the UCS 2009 scientific integrity calendar, available now for purchase at www.ucsusa.org/scienceidol. Bilicki's cartoon will be featured on the cover.
Bilicki is a senior art director at an Avenue A | Razorfish, an international advertising agency, and has a side career as an editorial cartoonist. His cartoons have appeared in major national publications throughout the United States, including the Los Angeles Times and Congressional Quarterly.
The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future.
