Title: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: dr.zalost on March 13, 2009, 02:49:54 PM
Post by: dr.zalost on March 13, 2009, 02:49:54 PM
I don't know if this is new thread material but...
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090312115133.htm
American Adults Flunk Basic Science
ScienceDaily (Mar. 13, 2009) â€" Are Americans flunking science? A new national survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences and conducted by Harris Interactive® reveals that the U.S. public is unable to pass even a basic scientific literacy test.
Over the past few months, the American government has allocated hundreds of billions of dollars for economic bailout plans. While this spending may provide a short-term solution to the country's economic woes, most analysts agree that the long-term solution must include a transition to a more knowledge-based economy, including a focus on science, which is now widely recognized as a major driver of innovation and industry.
Despite its importance to economic growth, environmental protection, and global health and energy issues, scientific literacy is currently low among American adults. According to the national survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences:
* Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.
* Only 59% of adults know that the earliest humans and dinosaurs did not live at the same time.
* Only 47% of adults can roughly approximate the percent of the Earth's surface that is covered with water.*
* Only 21% of adults answered all three questions correctly.
Knowledge about some key scientific issues is also low. Despite the fact that access to fresh water is likely to be one of the most pressing environmental issues over the coming years, less than 1% of U.S. adults know what percent of the planet's water is fresh (the correct answer is 3%). Nearly half didn't even hazard a guess. Additionally, 40% of U.S. adults say they are "not at all knowledgeable" about sustainability.
Despite this lack of knowledge, U.S. adults do believe that scientific research and education are important. About 4 in 5 adults think science education is "absolutely essential" or "very important" to the U.S. healthcare system (86%), the U.S. global reputation (79%), and the U.S. economy (77%).
"There has never been a greater need for investment in scientific research and education," said Academy Executive Director Dr. Gregory Farrington. "Many of the most pressing issues of our timeâ€"from global climate change to resource management and diseaseâ€"can only be addressed with the help of science."
To test your own scientific knowledge, please visit the California Academy of Sciences' website at http://www.calacademy.org (http://www.calacademy.org).
Methodology
This survey was conducted by telephone within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the California Academy of Science between December 17 and December 21, 2008 among 1,002 adults ages 18+.
* The approximately correct answer range for this question was defined as anything between 65% and 75%. Only 15% of respondents answered this question with the exactly correct answer of 70%.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090312115133.htm
American Adults Flunk Basic Science
ScienceDaily (Mar. 13, 2009) â€" Are Americans flunking science? A new national survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences and conducted by Harris Interactive® reveals that the U.S. public is unable to pass even a basic scientific literacy test.
Over the past few months, the American government has allocated hundreds of billions of dollars for economic bailout plans. While this spending may provide a short-term solution to the country's economic woes, most analysts agree that the long-term solution must include a transition to a more knowledge-based economy, including a focus on science, which is now widely recognized as a major driver of innovation and industry.
Despite its importance to economic growth, environmental protection, and global health and energy issues, scientific literacy is currently low among American adults. According to the national survey commissioned by the California Academy of Sciences:
* Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.
* Only 59% of adults know that the earliest humans and dinosaurs did not live at the same time.
* Only 47% of adults can roughly approximate the percent of the Earth's surface that is covered with water.*
* Only 21% of adults answered all three questions correctly.
Knowledge about some key scientific issues is also low. Despite the fact that access to fresh water is likely to be one of the most pressing environmental issues over the coming years, less than 1% of U.S. adults know what percent of the planet's water is fresh (the correct answer is 3%). Nearly half didn't even hazard a guess. Additionally, 40% of U.S. adults say they are "not at all knowledgeable" about sustainability.
Despite this lack of knowledge, U.S. adults do believe that scientific research and education are important. About 4 in 5 adults think science education is "absolutely essential" or "very important" to the U.S. healthcare system (86%), the U.S. global reputation (79%), and the U.S. economy (77%).
"There has never been a greater need for investment in scientific research and education," said Academy Executive Director Dr. Gregory Farrington. "Many of the most pressing issues of our timeâ€"from global climate change to resource management and diseaseâ€"can only be addressed with the help of science."
To test your own scientific knowledge, please visit the California Academy of Sciences' website at http://www.calacademy.org (http://www.calacademy.org).
Methodology
This survey was conducted by telephone within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the California Academy of Science between December 17 and December 21, 2008 among 1,002 adults ages 18+.
* The approximately correct answer range for this question was defined as anything between 65% and 75%. Only 15% of respondents answered this question with the exactly correct answer of 70%.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Kodanshi on March 13, 2009, 03:45:14 PM
Post by: Kodanshi on March 13, 2009, 03:45:14 PM
I can understand not knowing some scientific data, but things like this:
REALLY?!
Quote from: "dr.zalost"* Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.
REALLY?!
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Hitsumei on March 13, 2009, 03:57:41 PM
Post by: Hitsumei on March 13, 2009, 03:57:41 PM
Quote from: "Kodanshi"I can understand not knowing some scientific data, but things like this:Quote from: "dr.zalost"* Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.
REALLY?!
Well, are they being anal about it? Do they count "365" days as false, and require the exact "365.25" days number? I could understand it if half the population didn't account for the leap year.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Squid on March 13, 2009, 04:35:00 PM
Post by: Squid on March 13, 2009, 04:35:00 PM
Quote from: "Hitsumei"Quote from: "Kodanshi"I can understand not knowing some scientific data, but things like this:Quote from: "dr.zalost"* Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.
REALLY?!
Well, are they being anal about it? Do they count "365" days as false, and require the exact "365.25" days number? I could understand it if half the population didn't account for the leap year.
From their site:
QuoteQuestion #1
How long does it take for the Earth to go around the Sun?
*
One day
*
One week
*
One month
*
One year
*
Not sure
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Hitsumei on March 13, 2009, 04:37:58 PM
Post by: Hitsumei on March 13, 2009, 04:37:58 PM
...
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...
...
...
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: SteveS on March 13, 2009, 04:48:50 PM
Post by: SteveS on March 13, 2009, 04:48:50 PM
Well, given Squid's clarification, I can say I'm clearly shocked that only 53% of adults would get this question right. I'm not normally the downer type, but oh man is that ever pathetic.
Still, it would be fun to mess with the one's who got it right, wouldn't it? Imagine:
"I'm going to go with 1 year, final answer"
"What do mean? An equinoctial year or a sidereal year?"
"What? I don't know that. Aaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggg......." (cast into the pit of eternal peril)
Still, it would be fun to mess with the one's who got it right, wouldn't it? Imagine:
"I'm going to go with 1 year, final answer"
"What do mean? An equinoctial year or a sidereal year?"
"What? I don't know that. Aaaaaarrrrrrrrggggggg......." (cast into the pit of eternal peril)
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Kodanshi on March 13, 2009, 07:45:54 PM
Post by: Kodanshi on March 13, 2009, 07:45:54 PM
I spot a Monty Python reference there, hahaha! 
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: curiosityandthecat on March 13, 2009, 08:44:12 PM
Post by: curiosityandthecat on March 13, 2009, 08:44:12 PM
Quote from: "Kodanshi"I spot a Monty Python reference there, hahaha!It's only a model.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Kodanshi on March 13, 2009, 09:45:37 PM
Post by: Kodanshi on March 13, 2009, 09:45:37 PM
And still from my fave film by them! 
Despite the technical excellence of the Brian film I really do prefer Holy Grail.
Despite the technical excellence of the Brian film I really do prefer Holy Grail.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: SteveS on March 13, 2009, 10:11:53 PM
Post by: SteveS on March 13, 2009, 10:11:53 PM
Quote from: "curiosityandthecat"It's only a model.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Squid on March 13, 2009, 11:27:41 PM
Post by: Squid on March 13, 2009, 11:27:41 PM
I had a couple of blog posts that had to do with scientific literacy albeit as it relates to the whole evolution/ID/creationism stuff. The second is a an article I wrote for a guest feature article in a local newspaper:
http://neurognosis.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/old-post-from-old-blog-darwins-satan-theory-of-monkeyism/
http://neurognosis.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/etiology-of-the-evolution-v-intelligent-design-debate/
And a bit from a post I made on another forum:
The National Science Foundation does their Science and Engineering Indicators every year - a kind of state of science in the U.S. From the latest S&E Indicator:
Scientific literacy hasn't changed much even in the past 14 years:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.gov%2Fstatistics%2Fseind08%2Fc7%2Ffig07-06.gif&hash=770955b183c7cb83b2fe873d5b62ef1799a2f688)
Less than half of the research respondents in the polls over the years answer true to the statement - Human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals.
The data hasn't changed much in at least 25 years and that's sad.
Carl Sagan about the subject in his last interview:
[youtube:1df8optw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jod7v-m573k[/youtube:1df8optw]
[youtube:1df8optw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDKSZO-aACk[/youtube:1df8optw]
[youtube:1df8optw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxeN6Wf7mbU[/youtube:1df8optw]
http://neurognosis.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/old-post-from-old-blog-darwins-satan-theory-of-monkeyism/
http://neurognosis.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/etiology-of-the-evolution-v-intelligent-design-debate/
And a bit from a post I made on another forum:
The National Science Foundation does their Science and Engineering Indicators every year - a kind of state of science in the U.S. From the latest S&E Indicator:
QuoteU.S. scores on questions about the theory of evolution and the "big bang" are lower than those in other countries, and many Americans are receptive to including nonscientific views in science classrooms.
* Many Americans appear skeptical of established scientific ideas in these areas, even when they have some basic familiarity with them.
* Americans’ responses to questions about evolution have remained virtually unchanged over the past 25 years.
* More Americans approved than disapproved of instruction about three explanations of the origins of life (evolution, intelligent design, and creationism) in public school science classes. However, many were unsure.
Scientific literacy hasn't changed much even in the past 14 years:
(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nsf.gov%2Fstatistics%2Fseind08%2Fc7%2Ffig07-06.gif&hash=770955b183c7cb83b2fe873d5b62ef1799a2f688)
Less than half of the research respondents in the polls over the years answer true to the statement - Human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals.
The data hasn't changed much in at least 25 years and that's sad.
Carl Sagan about the subject in his last interview:
[youtube:1df8optw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jod7v-m573k[/youtube:1df8optw]
[youtube:1df8optw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDKSZO-aACk[/youtube:1df8optw]
[youtube:1df8optw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxeN6Wf7mbU[/youtube:1df8optw]
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Hitsumei on March 14, 2009, 12:24:00 AM
Post by: Hitsumei on March 14, 2009, 12:24:00 AM
I almost wanted to cry watching that last part of the interview. Carl Sagan has always been a hero of mine. The book he is promoting, A Demon Haunted World did so much to inform of current attitude, and his other books, Dragon's of Eden, and Pale Blue Dot were just beautiful. I also absolutely adored cosmos. It was so jam packed full of information, and history, set to calming, and soothing music -- with Carl Sagan, explaining and talking about things that he transparently loved, with brilliant, and exquisite prose.
I can't help but just gush when I talk about Sagan. This excerpt from Pale Blue Dot I find so amazing, and inspiring, I have listened to it more times than I can count:
[youtube:2xijz57d]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M[/youtube:2xijz57d]
I can't help but just gush when I talk about Sagan. This excerpt from Pale Blue Dot I find so amazing, and inspiring, I have listened to it more times than I can count:
[youtube:2xijz57d]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M[/youtube:2xijz57d]
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Squid on March 14, 2009, 02:59:58 AM
Post by: Squid on March 14, 2009, 02:59:58 AM
Absolutely, Sagan was and still remains one of my heroes. I can only hope to achieve a fraction of what he did in his lifetime.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: maestroanth on March 14, 2009, 05:27:01 AM
Post by: maestroanth on March 14, 2009, 05:27:01 AM
F
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Kodanshi on March 15, 2009, 12:27:45 AM
Post by: Kodanshi on March 15, 2009, 12:27:45 AM
Not really relevant, but Carl Sagan also sounded just like Agent Smith in The Matrix, which automatically invests him with cool.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: pedricero matao on March 29, 2009, 10:54:18 AM
Post by: pedricero matao on March 29, 2009, 10:54:18 AM
Quote from: "Kodanshi"I can understand not knowing some scientific data, but things like this:Quote from: "dr.zalost"* Only 53% of adults know how long it takes for the Earth to revolve around the Sun.
REALLY?!
I sincerely hope this is not real (I mean, made up or something)
[youtube:2vxvvb43]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q566ys0sqVQ[/youtube:2vxvvb43]
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: VanReal on March 29, 2009, 03:21:51 PM
Post by: VanReal on March 29, 2009, 03:21:51 PM
That could very well be real, a LOT of people don't keep up on current events. I prefer they call them "Knowledge Challenged" Americans though, hehe.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Whitney on March 29, 2009, 06:53:54 PM
Post by: Whitney on March 29, 2009, 06:53:54 PM
Over the last year or so I've made more of a point to keep up with current events. Still, I think if some guy with a camera was approaching me with questions I'd tell them I'm not interested. There is nothing like being put on the spot that will make you forget things you would normally know.
Btw, why are stupid people attracted to news cameras?...I swear that is why tv makes it look like there are so many American idiots.
Btw, why are stupid people attracted to news cameras?...I swear that is why tv makes it look like there are so many American idiots.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Tom62 on March 29, 2009, 07:20:05 PM
Post by: Tom62 on March 29, 2009, 07:20:05 PM
Just ask these kind of questions on any street market here in Western Europe and you'll get similar stupid replies from people. Maybe people feel obliged to give an answer, when they are placed in front of a camera, even if it is just an unintelligent answer. I can respect people who say "I don't know", but not people who say something without having a clue what they are talking about.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Hitsumei on March 29, 2009, 07:35:32 PM
Post by: Hitsumei on March 29, 2009, 07:35:32 PM
Ever watch Rick Mercer's talking to Americans?
[youtube:23fo94jc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo[/youtube:23fo94jc]
[youtube:23fo94jc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo[/youtube:23fo94jc]
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Whitney on March 29, 2009, 08:44:40 PM
Post by: Whitney on March 29, 2009, 08:44:40 PM
lol....20 hour clock. I just find that especially funy since you wouldn't have to know anything about Canada to realize a 20 hour day wouldn't make much sense and someone is probably pulling your leg.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: VanReal on March 30, 2009, 12:53:05 AM
Post by: VanReal on March 30, 2009, 12:53:05 AM
Hehehe, "Congratulations Canada on your tunnel to China".... 
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: karadan on March 30, 2009, 10:19:10 AM
Post by: karadan on March 30, 2009, 10:19:10 AM
Quote from: "Whitney"Over the last year or so I've made more of a point to keep up with current events. Still, I think if some guy with a camera was approaching me with questions I'd tell them I'm not interested. There is nothing like being put on the spot that will make you forget things you would normally know.
Btw, why are stupid people attracted to news cameras?...I swear that is why tv makes it look like there are so many American idiots.
It's only stupid people from other countries who think America is populated entirely by stupid people.
To be honest, you'd more than likely get the same percentages of stupid in the UK if someone took a camera out onto British streets, especially if they were to go anywhere near Liverpool or Birmingham
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Kodanshi on March 31, 2009, 09:42:28 PM
Post by: Kodanshi on March 31, 2009, 09:42:28 PM
Good point. Plus you have to bear in mind the possibility that they edit the footage to show only the people who can’t answer their questions.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: karadan on April 01, 2009, 08:34:59 AM
Post by: karadan on April 01, 2009, 08:34:59 AM
Quote from: "Kodanshi"Good point. Plus you have to bear in mind the possibility that they edit the footage to show only the people who can’t answer their questions.
Of course they do! I doubt they spent a few minutes walking around interviewing people. That cut is more than likely taken from an entire days worth of interviews.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Man-ofGod on April 07, 2009, 01:23:43 AM
Post by: Man-ofGod on April 07, 2009, 01:23:43 AM
[youtube:p6skeqxy]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mkwB9ayK4 [/youtube:p6skeqxy]
Just spreading the wealth a little bit.
Just spreading the wealth a little bit.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: karadan on April 07, 2009, 10:50:30 AM
Post by: karadan on April 07, 2009, 10:50:30 AM
Quote from: "Man-ofGod"[youtube:auipgnei]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mkwB9ayK4 [/youtube:auipgnei]
Just spreading the wealth a little bit.
Haha. That's funny.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Kodanshi on April 07, 2009, 10:15:25 PM
Post by: Kodanshi on April 07, 2009, 10:15:25 PM
Quote from: "Man-ofGod"[youtube:119tubss]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mkwB9ayK4 [/youtube:119tubss]
Just spreading the wealth a little bit. :P
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: Ninteen45 on April 08, 2009, 05:19:39 PM
Post by: Ninteen45 on April 08, 2009, 05:19:39 PM
Horribly done. There ARE 2 colours in the brittish flag, Red and Blue. White is a tone.
Title: Re: Scientific ignorance in the U.S.A.
Post by: SSY on April 17, 2009, 07:11:18 AM
Post by: SSY on April 17, 2009, 07:11:18 AM
Quote from: "Whitney"Btw, why are stupid people attracted to news cameras?...I swear that is why tv makes it look like there are so many American idiots.
Once while in halls, I noticed the weather report was being done 200 yards from me on Tottenham Court Road. I burst out of the house in my socks and sprinted as fast as I could in order to make a tit of myself. In hindsight I'm glad that I did not make it, I would have regretted it so much after.