Evolution and Its Discontents: A Role for Scientists in Science Education
Rare good news:
...Studies show that the vast majority of Americans has a strong appreciation for the role of science in health, education, and competitiveness, and they especially value the contribution that scientific research makes to eliminating diseases...
It seems most Americans actually prefer the teaching of evolution in the classroom, as apposed to Creationism. The survey raises some interesting questions. Is it possible the wording of previous polls--that indicated a broader range of support for Creationism--skewed the numbers to make Creationist attitudes appear more prevalent? If so, why would agents of the 'traditional media' be so quick to hawk the dubious news (from past polls) that the majority of us are bible thumping assholes?
2 comments:
I think it's not always the media as much as the pollsters and their agenda.
What I mean is that if you ask someone if science is important, most people will say "Sure". Then if you ask, "Do you think presenting opposing views in the classroom is worthwhile?" Most people will say "Sure" again.
If the questions aren't overly broad, then sometimes it's a matter of actually knowing what science is. I've heard people say that scientists are being emotional and unscientific and don't want creationism to be able to state its case. They know that science is something we need, but don't understand the basic principles... they think presenting two opposing viewpoints is the right way to do things. Even if the first has a hundred years of research and testing and is the foundation of modern biology while the second is a group of people without degrees in the field putting forth theories with no testing, peer validation and rely only upon popular desire to maintain religious illusions.
Too many people seem to think science is a democracy rather than an evolutionary process.
Whoops, I just went on another rant. You have too many good posts and topics, Gene. :)
Hypatia wrote:
I think it's not always the media as much as the pollsters and their agenda. What I mean is that if you ask someone if science is important, most people will say "Sure". Then if you ask, "Do you think presenting opposing views in the classroom is worthwhile?" Most people will say "Sure" again.
I think there's a chunk of people who have it all wrong. The high school classroom is not a forum for airing opposing views. It is not a place to learn techniques to 'Question Authority', or challenge scientific paradynes, or reward fringe interpretations of history. It is also not the place to prop-up outmoded world views. Sure, most people use to believe in a Flat Earth. They believed horse hair turned to worms and maggots spontaneously generated out of meat. They believed illnesses were due to curses and ghosts (the 'enlightened' knew they were the result of foul miasmas, ill humors, and marsh agues). Many of these ideas were believed to be self evident, and if not, based on scripture and other religious or authoritative teachings. Yet, is anyone suggesting such ideas be given equal time in the classroom? The agenda of the Creationists/ID proponents is not a better education, but the bringing about of a Dominionist society.
...I've heard people say that scientists are being emotional and unscientific and don't want creationism to be able to state its case. They know that science is something we need, but don't understand the basic principles... they think presenting two
opposing viewpoints is the right way to do things. Even if the first has a hundred years of research and testing and is the foundation of modern biology while the second is a group of people without degrees in the field putting forth theories with no testing, peer validation and rely only upon popular desire to maintain religious illusions.
Well said. I think that is an area where our traditional media really falls flat. On the one side we have an issue that is justified by a huge amount of evidence, that's accepted by the experts, and has proved itself to work many times--to the betterment of all. On the other, we have people lying. I think giving both sides equal time in such a situation does a disservice to everybody.
Too many people seem to think science is a democracy rather than an
evolutionary process. Whoops, I just went on another rant. You have too many good posts and topics, Gene. :)
Feel free to rant all you want. I love rants. You'd like my rant with Toomanytribbles, and my Sagan-blog-a-thon one (here and here).)Thanx for posting. It's an honor to have 'Hypatia' posting here! :)
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