Obviously science’s enemies aren’t equipped to give an accurate critique and her allies are unwilling to undermine their status by offering reasonable criticisms. It actually is a difficult double-bind but more voices that give reasoned and intelligent criticism of science would be good thing.
Actually, I’ve only fairly recently started probing into this, and I’ve found no shortage of scientists willing to acknowledge how terribly inefficient publication processes and peer review are, how science is more opaque to the public than necessary, how politicized research is, and so forth. What’s difficult is finding anyone willing to stake effort and status on actually trying to change any of these processes for the better.
Actually, I’ve only fairly recently started probing into this, and I’ve found no shortage of scientists willing to acknowledge how terribly inefficient publication processes and peer review are, how science is more opaque to the public than necessary, how politicized research is, and so forth. What’s difficult is finding anyone willing to stake effort and status on actually trying to change any of these processes for the better.