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Our work is not done

Source:
*Phillips, Gary W., PhD. “Chance Favors the Prepared Mind: Mathematics and Science Indicators from Comparing States and Nations.” American Institutes for Research. 14 Nov 2007. American Institutes for Research. 18 Nov 2007 <http://www.air.org/publications/documents/phillips.chance.favors.the.prepared.mind.pdf>.
I picked this up from David Warlick’s blog 2¢ Worth:
According to the National Science Foundation (NSF, http://www.nsf.gov/statistics), the average U.S.
citizen understands very little science. For example:
– 66% do not understand DNA, “margin of error,” the scientific process, and do not believe in evolution.
– 50% do not know how long it takes the earth to go around the sun, and a quarter does not even know that the earth goes around the sun.
– 50% think humans coexisted with dinosaurs and believe antibiotics kill viruses.
On the other hand, according to the NSF, the general public believes in a lot of pseudoscience.
– 88% believe in alternative medicine.
– 50% believe in extrasensory perception and faith healing.
– 40% believe in haunted houses and demonic possession.
– 33% believes in lucky numbers, ghosts, telepathy, clairvoyance, astrology, and that UFOs are aliens from space.
– 25% believes in witches and that we can communicate with the dead. *
Now clearly science and belief can co-exist. That’s the foundation of the separation of religion and state as well as people’s basic rights. It is still distressing to me that so much knowledge is required to be taught to ensure that people can use the information wealth that is provided to them through such tools as databases and search engines. Can we fill the gap through information professionals for the most important questions of our time?
Stephen

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Posted on: November 19, 2007, 5:44 pm Category: Uncategorized

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  1. I think the coolest job in the world would be Public Science Librarian. Imagine a library with a lab where you did whatever cool science program you wanted. Mentos and Diet Coke would be a rocking program.