Opposition to science in the US

[Myles]

I believe that there is widespread opposition to science in the US. If this is so, I would welcome a discussion on why it is so and what those who oppose science wish to achieve.

If, on the other hand my belief is unfounded, I would naturally like the opportunity to explain myself. so that my erroroneous view may be corrected.

 

[MetaKron]

The cancellation of the super-collider, the effective cancellation of the manned space program, the elimination of the "science fair" from so many schools, the fact that a lot of the sciences are just money generators for major corporations, I don't know what would give you that idea.

 

[sandy]

I don't think there is opposition to science, science being taught, research, development, discoveries, etc. We pour millions into it.

What there is-- is opposition to is believing in science more than/over God. The greatest minds in the world know science has its place.

Science is a very important part of the USA.

 

[Myles]

The cancellation of the super-collider, the effective cancellation of the manned space program, the elimination of the "science fair" from so many schools, the fact that a lot of the sciences are just money generators for major corporations, I don't know what would give you that idea.

I would be gateful if you could give me your reasons for wanting to cancel these programs. In particular, why banish "science fairs " from schools ? What is the problem here ?

 

[Myles]

I don't think there is opposition to science, science being taught, research, development, discoveries, etc. We pour millions into it.

What there is opposition to is believing in science more than/over God. The greatest minds in the world know science has its place.

Science is a very important part of the USA.

Thank you for that insight. But if someone chooses a scientific explanation of the world instead of a religious one why not simply ignore him. unless he is intolerant and wishes to foist his views on you. You live in the Land of the Free, so just tell anyone who wants to ram science down your throat that you respect his right to hold his beliefs and it is incumbent on him that he respect yours.

 

[Baron Max]

I believe that there is widespread opposition to science in the US. If this is so, I would welcome a discussion on why it is so and what those who oppose science wish to achieve.

If, on the other hand my belief is unfounded, I would naturally like the opportunity to explain myself. so that my erroroneous view may be corrected.

Yeah, I think it would be nice to explain what evidence you have for your beliefs. For example, there's probably more science being conducted in the USA than anywhere else in the world ...and it's due to the available funds for such research. So, ...on what do you base your beliefs?

Baron Max

 

[Till Eulenspiegel]

I don''t think there is a lessening of science teaching or experimentation in the United States. I think that when people see that a particular segment of science they want funded by the government is not being funded they come to the false conclusion that science in general is being de-emphasized.

Most of the science in the world today comes out of the United States.

 

[(Q)]

What there is opposition to is believing in science more than/over God. The greatest minds in the world know science has its place.

True. Science does have it's place, firmly grounded in reality, and not giving god myths and superstitions a second thought.

And THAT is precisely to what theists are opposed.

 

[S.A.M.]

Please keep this discussion focused on science.

 

[(Q)]

Please keep this discussion focused on science.

Uh, the OP clearly states, "I believe that there is widespread opposition to science in the US..."

My response was clearly on topic.

What is your problem? :bugeye:

 

[S.A.M.]

Just trying to ensure that the second attempt to discuss this thread from the POV of science and society is more successful than the first.

I don't want this to turn into a rant between theism and atheism, rather a discussion of how science policy making is affected by fundamentalism in the US.

You could try to address the question the OP has asked, what do you think these groups hope to achieve by their opposition to science? That is, if you believe there is an opposition to science, and why NOW.

 

[(Q)]

You could try to address the question the OP has asked, what do you think these groups hope to achieve by their opposition to science? That is, if you believe there is an opposition to science, and why NOW.

Ah, I see, you want me to ask your questions.

 

[sandy]

Thank you for that insight. But if someone chooses a scientific explanation of the world instead of a religious one why not simply ignore him. unless he is intolerant and wishes to foist his views on you. You live in the Land of the Free, so just tell anyone who wants to ram science down your throat that you respect his right to hold his beliefs and it is incumbent on him that he respect yours.

Again, science it's very important. It always has been. We're not going to ignore someone who chooses a scientific explanation. We respect science. We respect their right to their own beliefs. No one is ramming science down our throats. We love science.

 

[S.A.M.]

Sandy, what is your opinion of using stem cells for therapeutic purposes? Cloned cells?

 

[(Q)]

We respect science. We respect their right to their own beliefs.

It's amazing how quickly the commodities of science are pillaged by the very same hypocrites who oppose science... oops, sorry, "respect" science.

No one is ramming science down our throats. We love science.

It is often noted that caves make excellent coverage from ramming. It is confusing though, when those caves are often found empty.

 

[Myles]

Yeah, I think it would be nice to explain what evidence you have for your beliefs. For example, there's probably more science being conducted in the USA than anywhere else in the world ...and it's due to the available funds for such research. So, ...on what do you base your beliefs?

Baron Max

The only evidence I have is what I read in newspapers and programs I see on television.

If you read wwhat I said you will see that I am not making a statement but simply asking for information from people such as yourself who are closer to the scene.

Your statement, if true, gives the lie to claims that there is widespread opposition to science in the US. Or, insofar as their is opposition, it is ineffective because of the democratic process. Need I mention that the freedoms enjoyed by US citizens is the envy of many.

 

[sandy]

Sandy, what is your opinion of using stem cells for therapeutic purposes? Cloned cells?

I have no problem with using adult stem cells. Not embryonic.

 

[Myles]

I don''t think there is a lessening of science teaching or experimentation in the United States. I think that when people see that a particular segment of science they want funded by the government is not being funded they come to the false conclusion that science in general is being de-emphasized.

Most of the science in the world today comes out of the United States.

I kno exactly what you mean. Funds are limited and someone must end up being disappointed. That is exactly what happens here in the UK.
The problem seems to be one of determining how available funds shoul be distributed.

You can't please all the people all the time, to paraphrase what a compatriot of yours said.

 

[S.A.M.]

I don''t think there is a lessening of science teaching or experimentation in the United States. I think that when people see that a particular segment of science they want funded by the government is not being funded they come to the false conclusion that science in general is being de-emphasized.

Most of the science in the world today comes out of the United States.

How does that explain the fact that the US is producing less graduates in science?

For anyone concerned about strengthening America's long-term leadership in science and technology, the nation's schools are an obvious place to start. But brace yourself for what you'll find. The depressing reality is that when it comes to educating the next generation in these subjects, America is no longer a world contender. In fact, U.S. students have fallen far behind their competitors in much of Western Europe and in advanced Asian nations like Japan and South Korea.


This trend has disturbing implications not just for the future of American technological leadership but for the broader economy. Already, "we have developed a shortage of highly skilled workers and a surplus of lesser-skilled workers," warned Federal Reserve Board Chairman Alan Greenspan in a Mar. 12 address at Boston College. And the problem is worsening. "[We're] graduating too few skilled workers to address the apparent imbalance between the supply of such workers and the burgeoning demand for them," Greenspan added.

As a result, "the future strength of the U.S. science and engineering workforce is imperiled," the National Science Board warned in a sweeping report issued last year.

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2004/tc20040316_0601_tc166.htm

 

[Myles]

It's amazing how quickly the commodities of science are pillaged by the very same hypocrites who oppose science... oops, sorry, "respect" science.



It is often noted that caves make excellent coverage from ramming. It is confusing though, when those caves are often found empty.

True. Science does have it's place, firmly grounded in reality, and not giving god myths and superstitions a second thought.

And THAT is precisely to what theists are opposed.

I think you are being unfair to Sandy. She came across to me as someone who is proud that America is at the forefront of science,