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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."'"
Even science can't yet fix stupid.
Actually, most squirrels I know are in favour of Rick Santorum which makes them conservatives.
Apparantly, squirrels like nuts.
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
Science is not a reliogion. It is the difference between trusting and believing - as in some people believe what is written in a 1600 year old book, but doesn't trust their contemporaries distilling the truth of our physical realm. Really, a sad state.
I hate to disagree, but from what I've seen people treat science like a religion too. I'm referring to the average man on the street. How many people outside of /. know how their computer works on a fundamental level? How many know the intricacies of quantum theory, but have read a Brian Greene book? The fact of the matter is, the vast majority of non-scientific people have to take science on faith. It's similar in the IT realm, I honestly believe that if I started cutting the heads off of live chickens every time I did work in the datacenter, but made a decent enough Star Trek-esque technobabble explanation, my department head would simply shrug and requisition more poultry.
"Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right" - Salvor Hardin
Reality doesn't care about your ideology at all, actually.
Don't anthropomorphize reality; It hates that.
Alex, I'll take keybindings not used by Emacs for $400....
Really? Says you. But if I'm going to believe in something that berates and impugns, and is a tool used by people looking to control others, I think I'll go with science over what the religionists are pushing. At least science requires reproducible results for proof.
Science says: "This sludge is toxic because it contains these toxins. We determined this by following this procedure. Our colleagues have reviewed our procedure, and have found it to be sound and accurate. Using the procedure as described, these colleagues have found identical results. We invite you to examine our procedure for error, and follow it on your sample of sludge and report your findings.
Also, we know these toxins are harmful, because we tested them on living creatures. So did our colleagues, using the exact same procedures we did. Their living creatures were also harmed."
Conservatives say: "We can't afford to make sure the sludge is either not produced, or is less toxic. If we do that, we won't make as much money as we possibly can. Also, that would make our workers safer, and, well, you know our policy towards workers: pay them as little as we can get away with, and if they get injured on the job, fire them for being less productive.
Besides, I prayed on it, and Jesus says the sludge is harmless, and it only harms those who are in cahoots with Satan. I can't prove any of this, you just have to have faith. Jesus wouldn't lie to you, and since I speak for Jesus, you know I'm not lying to you. Anyone who doesn't believe what Jesus says is a America-hating-commie-fag who lacks faith. And let's pray that that person who doesn't believe the truth of Jesus spoken through me dies from the Satan sludge."
Because wars cost less than healthcare.
Weaselmancer
rediculous.