Canada Tops List of Most Science-Literate Countries

An anonymous reader writes "A recent survey of scientific education and attitudes showed the Canadian population to have the highest level of scientific literacy in the world, as well as the fewest reservations about the direction of scientific progress (full report). A key factor is a high level of scientific knowledge among the general population (despite comparatively low numbers of people employed in STEM fields). Another is a higher level of comfort with choosing rationality over religious belief — only 25% of Canadians surveyed agreed with the statement "We depend too much on science and not enough on faith", as opposed to 55% in the U.S. and 38% in the E.U.

I also wonder if the vaunted Canadian healthcare system plays a role. When advances in medical science are something you automatically expect to benefit from personally if you need them, they look a lot better than when you have to scramble just to cover your bills for what we have now."

Comments

The problem with beaurocrats.

[jedidiah]

Before you can pay for it or get it for free it's got to be authorized first. While actually being responsible for yourself can be a burden it also allows you to take command of the situation. That's something that is typically overlooked by people rushing to worship nanny state polices.

See the VA.

ROLF!

[Anonymous Coward]

" the vaunted Canadian healthcare system"

- 17 hour average wait time in the Emergency Room
- Months on waiting lists to be seen by a specialist
- Many more months to start receiving treatment
- Years on the waiting list for things like knee, hip replacement

A 60 year old Canadian who has been waiting for years to be assigned a family doctor, who has to reserve an appointment 3 months ahead of time to see a cardiologist

You gotta be shitting me with your "vaunted Canadian healthcare system"