Don't know much about...
This article is concerning to say the least.
"American adults in general do not understand what molecules are (other than that they are really small). Fewer than a third can identify DNA as a key to heredity. Only about 10 percent know what radiation is. One adult American in five thinks the Sun revolves around the Earth, an idea science had abandoned by the 17th century."
(Yikes! I'll try to look into the actual questions used)
"American adults in general do not understand what molecules are (other than that they are really small). Fewer than a third can identify DNA as a key to heredity. Only about 10 percent know what radiation is. One adult American in five thinks the Sun revolves around the Earth, an idea science had abandoned by the 17th century."
(Yikes! I'll try to look into the actual questions used)
posted by That which is called Darren at 10:08 PM
4 Comments:
I think that this might be the most important statement in the article: "...people's inability to understand basic scientific concepts undermines their ability to take part in the democratic process."
I agree (both ways)
I appreciate what you are saying but the language is a little strong and elitest. As long as they can still raise their hand, push a button, pencil an "x" in a box or beep once for yes and twice for no like Cpt. Pike their ability to take part in the democratic process has not been undermined. I will dig my feet in and defend the right of the ignorant to vote.
I would also argue critical thinking (the ability to evaluate ideas and retoric as it is presented to you) is a more important skill set to possess then trival scientific knowledge. Which incidently is what the artcle is mostly talking about. I don't believe for a second that most of these people possess an "inability to understand basic scientific concepts." They just refuse to accept scientifically proven facts that contradict their established world view.
My agreement was because there is likely a sig. correlation between not knowing basic science stuff and relevant news (i.e., Iraq did not cause 9/11)
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