We Need More Science Education

by Kevin

March 13th, 2006

I am watching a National Geographic Special on crop circles. The defenders are just pathetic. Claiming that dying cell phones are evidence of UFO intervention, arguing that no one could possibly make these things in the time allotted despite the fact that an entire sub culture runs video-taped contests doing just that, etc, etc, etc. The thought process seems to go a little this: aliens are advanced enough to posses interstellar travel, find another planet that has intelligent life, come to the planet completely undetected and yet decide to communicate with us by stomping on corn.

it is depressing that someone could get through a high school science curriculum and not realize that if your hypothesis sounds like a bad Jerry Lewis movie, it needs some work.

Categories: Culture, Science |

17 Comments

Bill March 13th, 2006
People are so disinchanted with religion that they are grasping at straws to stay afloat emotionally. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if a space alien came to earth with the seceret to eternal life. Has one and he has not been recognized?

http://www.hoax-buster.org could be the work of aliens you know. If you have followed it from the beginning like me you know whoever is doing that site is just now learning to write and is still having trouble. The number of strange pictures has been reduced to almost nothing. At first seems like the inhability to write was being compensated for with “picture writing” that is inherently language independent.
little davey March 13th, 2006
Excellent post. Really enjoyed the long, ludicrous chain of events with the ironic punch-line (stomping on corn). So many situations in life deserve this sort of humorous, but in-your-face analysis. Again, excellent and enjoyable.
Tim Cooper March 13th, 2006
As a science teacher, let me say:

I’m trying. Really, I’m trying.

BTW, I plan to steal the “stomping on corn” punchline myself. Funny!
rMatey March 14th, 2006
Almost has some kind of relationship to the beliefs of the uber religious. God is so powerful that he communicates with us NOT. You just have to believe.
But then again, he does talk to some of us in their houses - even if they are dolts. i.e. Bush
Fred March 14th, 2006
While teaching “science” make sure that no views are allowed that may question the popular theories(faith) of the day.
Ted March 14th, 2006
If you would like to read 400+ more pages on this topic, try “The Demon-Haunted World” by Carl Sagan. He starts off the book lamenting the fact that what passes of science for most people is crop circles, Area 51, telekinetics, etc, etc
Jay March 15th, 2006
While teaching “science” make sure that no views are allowed that may question the popular theories(faith) of the day.

Yes, let’s have teachers qualify their explanation of every scientific concept by interjecting pseudo-scientific views not supported in the scientific community.

But only some scientific concepts (evolution), no need to qualify concepts that right-wing religious leaders don’t find offensive.
Fred March 15th, 2006
Jay, why are you afraid of critical examination of the theory of evolution? In spite of your prejudice, it is not settled science. Remember, scientists are always revising their theories and concepts. If you want a good laugh, look at some of the science textbooks of the early 1900’s. They thought what they believed was settled science. One hundred years from now I suspect students will be laughing about your faith in today’s “science.”

BTW, why did you immediately assume I was talking about questioning the theory of evolution? That’s not very scientific to jump to a conclusion based on your prejudices.
Jay March 16th, 2006
One hundred years from now I suspect students will be laughing about your faith in today’s “science.”

I suspect they will be laughing at people like you and the International Flat Earth Society, who are practically drowning in knowledge but refuse to absorb it.

BTW, why did you immediately assume I was talking about questioning the theory of evolution?

[Fred says, immediately after confirming that he was talking about evolution...]

That’s not very scientific to jump to a conclusion based on your prejudices.

Why exactly do you think that assumptions based on past experience are not scientific? Tgirsch is right, we do need more science education.
Fred March 16th, 2006
And you need better reading comprehension.
tgirsch March 16th, 2006
Actually, I can’t take credit, even though I’ve said it many times. It was Kevin who said we need more science education.
Jay March 17th, 2006
Actually, I can’t take credit, even though I’ve said it many times. It was Kevin who said we need more science education.

Okay, correction, Kevin was right that we need more science education.

Fred:

And you need better reading comprehension.

Care to actually address the argument?
Fred March 17th, 2006
Jay: Care to actually address the argument?

Fred: What argument have you made? Rereading your posts I have seen nothing from you except an attack on me.

Certainly we need more science education. I’m in favor of full and open discussion of all scientific arguments. Are you?
Fred March 18th, 2006
Jay: Care to actually address the argument?

Fred: What argument have you made? Rereading your posts I have seen nothing from you except an attack on me.

Certainly we need more science education. I’m in favor of full and open discussion of all scientific arguments. Are you??
Jay March 21st, 2006
Fred: What argument have you made? Rereading your posts I have seen nothing from you except an attack on me.

Here I was thinking that reading comprehension was your thing.

The argument is that wingnuts only want teachers to qualify and equivocate about scientific theories they don’t like.
geneRic viaGra March 26th, 2006
“…I think there is a world market for maybe five computers…” - Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
LoL !
generic cialis March 26th, 2006
I really dont think there is a reason to act or even write things like that, specially in the topic title.