Survey Shows Gap Between Scientists and the Public (Pew Center)

[lindisfarne]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/10/science/10survey.html?hpw

And while almost all of the scientists surveyed accept that human beings evolved by natural processes and that human activity, chiefly the burning of fossil fuels, is causing global warming, general public is far less sure.

Almost a third of ordinary Americans say human beings have existed in their current form since the beginning of time, a view held by only 2 percent of the scientists. Only about half of the public agrees that people are behind climate change, and 11 percent does not believe there is any warming at all.

According to the survey, about a third of Americans think there is lively scientific debate on both topics; in fact, there is no credible scientific challenge to the theory of evolution and there is little doubt that human activity is altering the chemistry of the atmosphere in ways that threaten global climate.

The survey, by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific organization, involved about 2,000 members of the public and 2,500 scientists drawn from the rolls of the science advancement association, which includes teachers, administrators and others involved in science as well as researchers.
...
It found that at least two-thirds of Americans hold scientists and engineers in high regard, but the feeling is hardly mutual.

The report said 85 percent of science association members surveyed said public ignorance of science was a major problem. And by large margins they deride as only “fair” or “poor” the coverage of science by newspapers and television.

[nosmokes]

1. Scary and disheartening stuff

It pisses me off that in this day and age because of reliance on faery tales and demons we hafta waste time reinventing the wheel just to get everyone on a fact based playing field thanks to the overwhelming influence of some of the most hate-filled and repressive while at the same time learned and enlightened institutions we've yet to devise.

[Demeter]

2. public ignorance of science was a major problem

But don't let that stop the public smearing of "science" and scientists.

[FiveGoodMen]

3. This is what we get for respecting religious views

Sorry. But it is.

Those who know better keep their mouths shut when some YEC wants to spout off and the YEC gets a few more converts.

I don't know if we can ever overcome this, but for starters practice saying the following when confronted with nonsense: BULLSHIT!

[jayfish]

4. 2% Of Scientists Believe That Man Has Existed Since The Beginning Of Time???

Jay

[lindisfarne]

5. Yes, they're the ones who graduate with science degrees from Wheaton or Liberty.n/t

[FiveGoodMen]

6. Even the Bible doesn't (quite) say that

[lindisfarne]

7. 77% of scientists say Bush administration suppressed research reports (only 28% of public say same)

A new Pew Research Poll released Thursday found that a vast majority of scientists -- some 77 percent -- say that claims the Bush Administration suppressed research reports that didn't align with Administration's point of view are true.

The survey polled more than 2,500 scientists in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"Most scientists had heard at least a little about claims that government scientists were not allowed to report research findings that conflicted with the Bush administration’s point of view," Pew wrote. "And the vast majority (77%) says that these claims are true. By contrast, these claims barely registered with the public – more than half heard nothing at all about this issue. Only about a quarter of the public (28%) said they thought the claims were true."

Strikingly, perhaps as a result of the perceived Bush Administration stance, very few scientists identified as Republicans. Just six percent of those polled said they identified as Republicans, with 32 percent self-identifying as independent and 55 percent saying they consider themselves Democrats.