Even sadder is the notion, even frequently expressed by scientists and scholars, is that evolution is something which must be BELIEVED rather than the result of observing reality and putting two and 2 together. What is encouraging, however, is that 36% are either willing to suspend judgment or don't want to answer--how those two possible states of mind are broken down is what I would like to know . . . as well as how these statistics compare with overall education levels.
But rather than wring hands about public ignorance, I would hope that scientists and scholars would DO something about it, starting, perhaps, with opening up their institution's websites to the unwashed. Too many other suggestions to list. WT ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Baker" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, February 13, 2009 1:27 PM Subject: Re: [ECOLOG-L] Gallup poll on evolution > The sad thing isn't that people don't "believe" in evolution, its that > many seem to have no idea what a theory is. > > David Inouye wrote: >> http://www.gallup.com/poll/114544/Darwin-Birthday-Believe-Evolution.aspx >> >> PRINCETON, NJ -- On the eve of the 200th anniversary of Charles >> Darwin's birth, a new Gallup Poll shows that only 39% of Americans say >> they "believe in the theory of evolution," while a quarter say they do >> not believe in the theory, and another 36% don't have an opinion >> either way. These attitudes are strongly related to education and, to >> an even greater degree, religiosity. > > -- > Larry Baker, Ph.D. > Water Resources Center > 173 McNeal Hall > 1985 Buford Ave. > St. Paul, MN 55108 > Phone: 763-370-1796 > Skype: water.think > Web page: http://wrc.umn.edu/aboutwrc/staff/baker/index.html > > Coming soon (edited book): The Water Environment of Cities, see > http://www.springer.com/environment/environmental+-management/book/978-0-387-84890-7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.10.23/1949 - Release Date: 02/12/09 11:34:00
