Science vs Lore (2/2)

Despite great strides in our understanding, the average person still does not understand science in the facts or in the practice, and instead fills the void with pseudoscience. This reflects a worldview that values an emphasis on commonly accepted, traditional lore, and a general disinterest in the role of science and reason in our lives. Science is perceived by the media, government, and popular conciousness as something that happens to other people.

This is unacceptable. We need to find a way to reach out with reason to the unreasonable, with knowledge to the ignorant, or else we will be unprepared when the moment of crisis finally arrives. There has never been a more important time to value and respect science, technology and reason. Those who value science can not retreat into their academic towers. We are dependent on popular, political support for this effort, and we will never advance to the next stage without overwhelming public momentum. Outreach is essential, and it can start anywhere, and at any level.

I have a message and a challenge to all viewers. Do something to raise awareness of the role of science in our society, the importance of reason. Take it as a personal responsibility, or no-one will.

Figures are mostly from the 2008 NSF Report on Science and Engineering Indicators. I highly recommend this site.
"As the scientific and technical content of modern life grows, citizens increasingly need to be more scientifically literate to make sound public policy and personal choices."
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind08/start.htm

Chapter 7, Public Knowledge
http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind08/c7/c7s2.htm

AAAS
http://www.aaas.org/
NSF
http://www.nsf.gov/
Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Science
• literacy
• public
• knowledge
• lore
• scripture
• politics
• media
• popular
• global
• warming
• disease
• cancer

[Miranox2]

The little influence Muslim countries have over the rest of the world is not a threat. Nuclear weapons are the only real problem and all of them combined don't have even 1 thousandth of USA's nukes.

[C0nc0rdance]

It doesn't take many nuclear weapons to radically change the face of the Earth for future generations. One, maybe.

The Malaysians, Iraqi, Iranians, Turks, Syrians, Egyptians, and Pakistanis might disagree with your first statement. The last estimate I read said that 22% of the world's population, 1.2 billion people, are considered as Muslim.

[Ripley747]

lol. Honestly, I think the biggest reason why there aren't more scientists in congress right now is because scientists make lousy liars. lol. They are trained to find the truth, not fabricate "a spin" on a negative truth. They simply tell it like it is. I don't think it's because of the public image of scientists. Love the vid!

[RazielKain]

Wow... to say "What difference does it make" about Evolution is hard whilst (in the US at least) a nobody gets elected who answers that to "Are you christian?"

[Krappman]

Your challenge is accepted. I will do what I can to further this two part video. Wish it was translated into my native language. Is it at all possible for me to do this via dotsub or any other service?

[weurRTG]

Ima go to my library and read a few books.

[TheMonkeyMedicine]

@Ripley747 I think your spot on. Scientists discover, politicians spin.Being popular does not require scientific, mathematical, or even superb linguistic skills. It requires a different kind of intelligence- connecting with people, dynamics of submission and dominance,  and charisma (qualities scientist dont usually concern themselves with ).

[TheMonkeyMedicine]

One reason science (and scientists) get a bad name, is because they are associated with ideologies and institutions that apply newly developed technologies for ill purpose. Humans by nature are predatory, sadistic and self-annihilating (put under the right conditions). As much technology has been developed to control, kill and destroy life as has been to save and preserve it. Science is a benign means... certainly not the culprit of misplaced discovery. Lust of power and domination are.

[M4dM4rx]

Hey C0nc0rdance, there are plenty of positive image of science in the cinema industry : Doc Brown ( Back to the future, sort of positive ), Dana Scully ( X files ), Daniel Jackson and Samantha Carter ( Stargate movie and tv show ), The four character in The Big bang theory, Stewie ( Family Guy ), Dr Frankenstein, Dr Jekyll ... Oups I loose track.

[Ptondus]

i am embarrassed to be human.. lol

[Narkolepzy]

Don't worry guys, the Illuminati is on this shit :)

[Ghi102]

5:18 Therefore creationism spreads HIV. lol syllogism