1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
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1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
1–10 of 121 posts
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#2The full paper is here (link in the story is broken): http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind14/content/chapter-7/c07....
To me the worst part is on page 25. Only about 30% of Americans understand scientific inquiry. I believe this is the root of the anti-science undercurrent in mainstream American society.
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#3Somewhat related: I've found in my general experiences that many people don't know what a scientific theory is. They think it means a guess. For example, a lot of people I've talked to think the Big Bang "Theory" is a work of fiction someone invented.
I've found that among a lot of the people I talk to there's this severe, fundamental lack of understanding around how science works. Not a lack of scientific knowledge per se; just a misunderstanding of science's modus operandi.
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#4I have Wikipedia for this. No joke. This is kind of like the argument about students during math using a calculator. General knowledge is less of a requirement even here in NYS with the Regents system. California I'm sure is more of the same. As long as you know how to find it, that's all that matters in life.
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#5This makes me so sad
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#6Somewhat related: I've found in my general experiences that many people don't know what a scientific theory is. They think it means a guess. For example, a lot of people I've talked to think the Big Bang "Theory" is a work of fiction someone invented. I've found that among a lot of the people I talk to there's this severe, fundamental lack of understanding around how science works. Not a lack of scientific knowledge…
>I've found in my general experiences that many people don't know what a scientific theory is. They think it means a guess.
Well they are correct.
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#7Depressing, but not unexpected. The problem isn't necessarily anti-science; it's anti-authority. Anti telling me what I can or can't believe. Anti you think your "science" can tell me what I know in my heart/what I feel in my bones?
The last thing we should do is try to mash heads with this level of warm comfort and confidence in ignorance and instead ask questions to probe the depths of what they do know and why.
Why do you believe this? How would that happen?
People may be allergic to being told what to do and what to accept, but inviting them to wade in the waters of the scientific method may allow them to find answers themselves.
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#8The astrology thing is possibly a matter of vocabulary. Especially in a "let's talk about science" context, it would be easy to just hear "astronomy" and say "sure, that's a science".
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#9Somewhat related: I've found in my general experiences that many people don't know what a scientific theory is. They think it means a guess. For example, a lot of people I've talked to think the Big Bang "Theory" is a work of fiction someone invented. I've found that among a lot of the people I talk to there's this severe, fundamental lack of understanding around how science works. Not a lack of scientific knowledge…
>I've found in my general experiences that many people don't know what a scientific theory is. They think it means a guess. Well they are correct.
No, they are not even remotely close to being correct.
Re: 1 in 4 Americans Don't Know Earth Orbits the Sun. Yes, Really.
#10I simply refuse to believe that. The notion that a quarter of the people supposed to vote in the ruler of the most powerful nation can't wrap their head around the most basic of scientific facts is too depressing to contemplate.