Ruth, did you see Heather Cox Richardson's history lesson on a segment of Amanpour & Co. discussing gun regulation (May 27, about 17 minutes)? It's a great reminder! https://www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/video/heather-cox-richardson-on-american-gun-culture/
Thank you Gary for that link. Professor Richardson succinctly and graciously explained what I have been saying since 1973. We, The majority of Citizens of the United States of America have allowed a minority of white "macho" males to dominate our culture. It's not just Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, it's the Clint Eastwood's, John Wayne's, Dirty Harry's, ad nauseum. Instead of hero worshiping the Einstein's, Pauling's, Hawking's, and other scientists of this world who have left a lasting good, we hero worship people who leave NO LASTING marks, like entertainers, sports figures, celebrities, and uber wealthy.
Thanks Fay. The reason many forget to worship the scientists you name is because their brains do not allow them to think positive thoughts about atheists.
While I am an atheist, I can assure you, some scientists firmly believe in their god and their religion. Don't classify all persons of science as being in agreement on all subjects. One of the tenets of science is, all theories are open to change as new evidence arrives.
Good points, Fay. I was merely referring to the three scientists you mentioned. While it is true that "all theories are open to change as new evidence arrives," so few people these days seem to take advantage of that idea, like vaccine deniers, global weather hoax believers...
Girl, you are certainly correct, you could have said that too few people are willing to think critically. I frequently think of the trumpsters as the "Tell me what to think Daddy" crowd.
Fay, you are a hoot! Thanks for the laugh. Critical thinking is the most important thing we can teach our children and grandchildren (and in my case, great grandchildren). Their future will depend on it.
Now I have to add just one more Neil deGrasse Tyson quote: "The problem in society is not kids not knowing science. The problem is adults not knowing science. They outnumber kids 5 to 1, they wield power, they write legislation. When you have scientifically illiterate adults, you have undermined the very fabric of what makes a nation wealthy and strong."
Love your response! As a science teacher (I hold a BA with double major biology and chemistry and MA in physiology) I believe it is criminal of our education system to pour more money into school sports (and I'm a lifelong football fan) than they do into core education. Part of the fault is the way we teach science - the easiest science for kids to learn is one they can instinctively understand. Physics. The most complex, most difficult to instinctively relate to is Biology, so what do we teach first? Biology naturally. And who teaches it? Physical Education majors, of course. A kindergarten child knows a toy car moves faster and further on a bare wood floor than on a carpet. (Friction) and the same car goes further and faster on an inclined plane. If you don't believe me, try it with a four year old. That's mechanical physics, folks.
We're getting slightly off topic here ЁЯШВ, but one reason why kids aren't fluid in STEM is because adults tell them it's hard. Remember when Dubya actually said publicly, "Math is hard."
I was livid when I heard that!
No, math is NOT hard! Too many kids hear parents and politicians (and too many non-math teachers) tell them math is hard (like science), so they are reluctant to try to learn it. They start out in the hole. Once when I was in research I had a high school intern for a summer. She was extremely bright, but she had a hard time with math (which was critical to what she was doing in my lab). We sat down and went through the simple logic around calculations, and pretty soon, after realizing that there was nothing "hard" about it, she got very good at math. She even went on to take some good math courses in college. [She also came back to my lab later as a very good technician.]
The problem is, really, scientifically illiterate adults! Which leads to more scientifically illiterate adults.
You are totally correct. Once they become adults and 'set in their ways' it is hard to reach them with any statistics, logic, or even common sense. As for Dublya he was a decent man, after he left the presidency - he just didn't try thinking.
Amen, Fay. Sorry, but I have to hit you with another Neil deGrasse Tyson quote: "Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think."
I just watched it again, and I HIGHLY recommend it. Richarson does a great job of identifying the real problems we're up against, and the mindset of those who would destroy our democracy. You need to watch the whole segment.
Ruth, did you see Heather Cox Richardson's history lesson on a segment of Amanpour & Co. discussing gun regulation (May 27, about 17 minutes)? It's a great reminder! https://www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/video/heather-cox-richardson-on-american-gun-culture/
Thank you Gary for that link. Professor Richardson succinctly and graciously explained what I have been saying since 1973. We, The majority of Citizens of the United States of America have allowed a minority of white "macho" males to dominate our culture. It's not just Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan, it's the Clint Eastwood's, John Wayne's, Dirty Harry's, ad nauseum. Instead of hero worshiping the Einstein's, Pauling's, Hawking's, and other scientists of this world who have left a lasting good, we hero worship people who leave NO LASTING marks, like entertainers, sports figures, celebrities, and uber wealthy.
Thanks Fay. The reason many forget to worship the scientists you name is because their brains do not allow them to think positive thoughts about atheists.
While I am an atheist, I can assure you, some scientists firmly believe in their god and their religion. Don't classify all persons of science as being in agreement on all subjects. One of the tenets of science is, all theories are open to change as new evidence arrives.
Good points, Fay. I was merely referring to the three scientists you mentioned. While it is true that "all theories are open to change as new evidence arrives," so few people these days seem to take advantage of that idea, like vaccine deniers, global weather hoax believers...
Girl, you are certainly correct, you could have said that too few people are willing to think critically. I frequently think of the trumpsters as the "Tell me what to think Daddy" crowd.
Fay, you are a hoot! Thanks for the laugh. Critical thinking is the most important thing we can teach our children and grandchildren (and in my case, great grandchildren). Their future will depend on it.
Thanks, Fay, I agree completely!
Now I have to add just one more Neil deGrasse Tyson quote: "The problem in society is not kids not knowing science. The problem is adults not knowing science. They outnumber kids 5 to 1, they wield power, they write legislation. When you have scientifically illiterate adults, you have undermined the very fabric of what makes a nation wealthy and strong."
Love your response! As a science teacher (I hold a BA with double major biology and chemistry and MA in physiology) I believe it is criminal of our education system to pour more money into school sports (and I'm a lifelong football fan) than they do into core education. Part of the fault is the way we teach science - the easiest science for kids to learn is one they can instinctively understand. Physics. The most complex, most difficult to instinctively relate to is Biology, so what do we teach first? Biology naturally. And who teaches it? Physical Education majors, of course. A kindergarten child knows a toy car moves faster and further on a bare wood floor than on a carpet. (Friction) and the same car goes further and faster on an inclined plane. If you don't believe me, try it with a four year old. That's mechanical physics, folks.
We're getting slightly off topic here ЁЯШВ, but one reason why kids aren't fluid in STEM is because adults tell them it's hard. Remember when Dubya actually said publicly, "Math is hard."
I was livid when I heard that!
No, math is NOT hard! Too many kids hear parents and politicians (and too many non-math teachers) tell them math is hard (like science), so they are reluctant to try to learn it. They start out in the hole. Once when I was in research I had a high school intern for a summer. She was extremely bright, but she had a hard time with math (which was critical to what she was doing in my lab). We sat down and went through the simple logic around calculations, and pretty soon, after realizing that there was nothing "hard" about it, she got very good at math. She even went on to take some good math courses in college. [She also came back to my lab later as a very good technician.]
The problem is, really, scientifically illiterate adults! Which leads to more scientifically illiterate adults.
...and to people like Trump and Louie Gohmert!
You are totally correct. Once they become adults and 'set in their ways' it is hard to reach them with any statistics, logic, or even common sense. As for Dublya he was a decent man, after he left the presidency - he just didn't try thinking.
Amen, Fay. Sorry, but I have to hit you with another Neil deGrasse Tyson quote: "Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think."
BTW, Fay, I love the word "nauseum"... Multiple meanings here ... ЁЯША
I just watched it again, and I HIGHLY recommend it. Richarson does a great job of identifying the real problems we're up against, and the mindset of those who would destroy our democracy. You need to watch the whole segment.