Conservatives' Trust In Science Has Fallen Dramatically Since Mid-1970s

An anonymous reader writes "While trust in science remained stable among people who self-identified as moderates and liberals in the United States between 1974 and 2010, trust in science fell among self-identified conservatives by more than 25 percent during the same period, according to a study by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. 'Over the last several decades, there's been an effort among those who define themselves as conservatives to clearly identify what it means to be a conservative,' said the study's lead author. 'For whatever reason, this appears to involve opposing science and universities and what is perceived as the "liberal culture." So, self-identified conservatives seem to lump these groups together and rally around the notion that what makes "us" conservatives is that we don't agree with "them."'"

Comments

Communion

[stabiesoft]

Perhaps before anyone should be treated by a modern medical facility (I am looking at you cheney with your new heart) you must pledge you believe in science. Is this any different than requiring you to affirm your faith in god before taking comunion? I have never understood had these science naysayers can declare pi should be simplified to 3 or some other such drivel and in the same moment broadcast it on their web blog. People are just stupid.

Re:I don't think so.

[sycodon]

A more accurate way to put it that reasonable people started to distrust science when it became the bitch of the control freaks.

Re:Obvious

[sycodon]

"fiscally conservative social liberals" is an oxymoron.

Re:Obvious

[ArcherB]

It stopped being funny when everyone realized it was true. Because the other side decided to depart from reality.

It sure is strange that the reality of the pump prices and the deficit counters around the country seem to show that the idea of liberal economic policies working to be more of a dream than reality.