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Study Highlights Gap Between Views of Scientists and the Public
ZeroSerenity was one of many to write with news of a survey from the Pew Research Center which sought to find out how Americans feel about science and contrast that with the opinions of actual scientists. The study showed that "nearly 9 in 10 scientists accept the idea of evolution by natural selection, but just a third of the public does. And while 84% of scientists say the Earth is getting warmer because of human activity, less than half of the public agrees with that." 27% of the respondents said that the advances of the US in science are its greatest achievement, down from 44% ten years ago. The study is lengthy, and it contains many more interesting tidbits. For example: scientists decry the level of media coverage given to science, and they also think research funding has too much influence on study results. 32% of scientists identify themselves as Independent, while 55% say they're Democrats and 6% say they're Republicans.
The majority of scientists used to agree that the earth was flat. And at the center of the universe.
The word "scientist" is ridiculously broad. Who are these people to which the media constantly refers? And who gives a shit what "scientists" think about politics?
I'd like to know what economists think about politics, including facts and historical data to back their opinions up. But I guess that would take ACTUAL research, which is harder than calling 1000 people and asking them 10 questions each.
If moderation could change anything, it would be illegal.
Do you think they always engage such behavior? Or is it just certain studies?
I'm not making any particular charges against PEW, although certainly every time I hear of one of their studies I am pissed off, and when I read it I say "That methodology is fucking stupid." HOWEVER, I just want to put out there that if your purpose is to sell bogus studies, then even the act of putting out valid studies is only misdirection to support your evil.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
what does the "55% of scientists are Democrats" statistic mean?
That most highly educated men and women of science and reason are liberals. If you're a liberal like me you can see this as a comforting sort of validation that you're right.
You just got troll'd!
"I'm actually surprised that as many as 6% of respondents identified themselves as Republicans." That's what they teach us to say at the KKK these days.
Like Bill Maher said: there's the conservative party (Democrats), and then there's the bat shit insane party (Republicans).
Buckle your ROFL belt, we're in for some LOLs.