Disconnnect between citizens and science

The Lakeland Ledger published a lengthy article about the disconnect between many citizens and science: Science and Skepticism: Amid a Push for More STEM Training, Many Reject Key Elements of Science

Even as politicians and educational leaders pledge allegiance to science, many Americans are skeptical about key tenets of scientific orthodoxy. On such issues as human evolution, the formation and age of the universe and, more recently, climate change, many Americans reject the dominant views of the scientific community.

Paul Cottle, a longtime physics professor at Florida State University, said deep skepticism toward science carries other costs.

“In a technological society, having half the population with such a profound distrust of science, it does seem like it would be an economic disadvantage,” Cottle said. “So I wish there was something we could do about it, but it’s not clear to me you can educate your way out of that. You can’t fix that in the classrooms of public schools. These are beliefs that are implanted in families, and it’s not clear there’s anything the rest of us can do about it.”

“On the one hand, you’ve got kids going to Sunday school, and they’re telling them that God created them, and then they go back to public school and they’re being taught that man evolved from an ape,” [Carol] Murray said. “No wonder the kids have problems.”

Lithia resident Jonathan Smith, vice president of Florida Citizens for Science, said some Americans are illogical in rejecting certain elements of science while accepting the rest.

“You don’t hear people talking about, ‘We don’t believe in gravity; we don’t believe in germ theory,’ or stuff like that,” Smith said. “But evolution probably conflicts with people’s religious beliefs, and so does climate change. …

“We use our cell phones, we drive in our computerized cars, we rely on antibiotics — anything science can provide for us, as long as it’s convenient. If it’s anything that might alter your view of the world, particularly from a religious perspective, they reject it.”

I don’t get this, though:

The prime example is the theory of evolution. Though ample evidence exists to support the theory, gaps still exist. Fossil records have not yet been discovered for some animals that served as transitional species between known species, leaving a “missing link,” in the phrase used by skeptics.

Scientists say the absence of complete proof does disprove a scientific theory, whether it’s evolution or another matter. Cottle said a lack of absolute certainty is part of science, but he said scientists get defensive when skeptics cite uncertainties as proof the entire theory is wrong.

Perhaps there was a typo. Shouldn’t it say “Scientists say the absence of complete proof doesn’t disprove a scientific theory, whether it’s evolution or another matter.”

About Brandon Haught

Communications Director for Florida Citizens for Science.
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8 Responses to Disconnnect between citizens and science

  1. Jonathan Smith says:

    Maybe a typo or another poorly educated reporter who

  2. Jonathan Smith says:

    Sorry about my first post, just wanted to say that it may have been a typo or another poorly educated reporter who does not proof read his work well enough

  3. Pierce R. Butler says:

    Even highly educated writers often fail when trying to proofread their own words – when you know exactly what you intend to say, it becomes very easy to read what you meant rather than what you wrote.

    More likely, the Lakeland Ledger has a poorly educated editor (or – sign o’ the times alert! – one too overworked to do the job right.

  4. Pierce R. Butler says:

    I intended to get my punctuation consistent in the previous comment, for example…

  5. Chris says:

    Jonathan

    The thought that climate change is now a religious issue is new news for me. Your insinuated argument that the scientific significance of gravity or cell phones provides Americans with validation for evolutionary science and the idea that all life has evolved from a a single common ancestor to me stands as an illogical conclusion. Haven’t you produced a logical fallacy no different than saying some insects are roaches and all bees are insects, therefore some roaches are bees? Not a convincing argument.

    Another thought in your closing remarks, “We use our cell phones, we drive in our computerized cars, we rely on antibiotics — anything science can provide for us, as long as it’s convenient. If it’s anything that might alter your view of the world, particularly from a religious perspective, they reject it.” Where do you get this stuff? I don’t believe anything you’ve said or shown here might bring Lakeland Christians School’s world view into question. What am I missing?

  6. Pierce R. Butler says:

    Oh Chris, you really shouldn’t leave yourself so open for snarky comebacks…

    Happy Holidays!

  7. Jonathan Smith says:

    Chris,

    Sad to say that what I actually said to the reporter in a interview that lasted 15min was condensed into 2 paragraphs and were not even close to being direct quotes by me. I think that a cursory reading of the article would have made that obvious. This is not unusual for this kind of reporting,so I tend to overlook it myself.
    So I suggest if you feel outraged by what was printed you should contact the reporter who covered this story Happy Holidays from me also.

    Pierce, It is the holiday season, so I to will refrain from snarky comebacks.

  8. Chris says:

    No outrage here, just curiosity. Reporters can spice things up. Hope everyone had a marry Christmas.

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