“At the AAAS meeting in February, scientists warned of increasing attacks on science and scientific research, at a time when the tools of science are ever more needed to cope with an increasingly technological, warming, and ever more populated world.

“Meanwhile, a stroll through your local mall will reveal bracelets that promise to increase your strength and endurance, and dietary supplements that promise the same, and more. There are outbreaks of whooping cough and measles due, at least in part, to a growing unvaccinated population; almost everyone knows their astrological sign but one American in five still thinks the sun revolves around the Earth.”

2012 Sigma Xi Initiation Banquet

Oh God I didn’t want to believe it. . . 
http://www.gallup.com/poll/3742/new-poll-gauges-americans-general-knowledge-levels.aspx

But look on the bright side 4 in 5 American’s know the Earth revolves around the Sun.

Yeah, but three percent had no opinion.

I wonder what percentage know which direction the Earth rotates?

I wonder what percentage know which direction the Earth rotates?

You could challenge them even further, by asking them to point in the right direction hehe.

Imaginos - 07 July 2012 07:25 PM

I wonder what percentage know which direction the Earth rotates?

You could challenge them even further, by asking them to point in the right direction hehe.

I am constantly amazed at how terrible most people are at knowing east from west or north from south.

God bless America!  I bet Thomas Jefferson is spinning so fast in his grave that if you hooked a generator up to him you could solve the world’s energy needs in a snap.  We’re living in an increasingly complex world and idiots like that aren’t merely a drag on our society, they’re quickly becoming a threat to our survival.

You’ve got to admit that the extreme right wing 1%ers have done a beautiful job of assuring that the 99% will become less and less effective at threatening the 1%, since they’ve so thoroughly de-funded education that fewer and fewer people know anything about science, politics, morality, etc.

In another generation or two everyone will believe the earth is the center of the universe.

Occam

Occam. - 08 July 2012 10:38 AM

You’ve got to admit that the extreme right wing 1%ers have done a beautiful job of assuring that the 99% will become less and less effective at threatening the 1%, since they’ve so thoroughly de-funded education that fewer and fewer people know anything about science, politics, morality, etc.

In another generation or two everyone will believe the earth is the center of the universe.

Occam

heck,
at the rate we’re going another few generations and who’s left will be hiding out in caves again and wondering what all those lights up there are.   

DarronS - 07 July 2012 06:25 PM

Yeah, but three percent had no opinion.

Boy, now that’s a trip down the wormhole,
trying to fathom the mind of someone who’s never thought about the Sun long enough to notice that it moves.

heck,
at the rate we’re going another few generations and who’s left will be hiding out in caves again and wondering what all those lights up there are.   

The “Big Crunch” of human intellect? Ok now I’m starting to worry…