Republicans Reject Science; Scientists Reject Republicans

Joe1991 · 07-12-09, 08:57 PM

Interesting article, and yes it may sound partisan, except to those conservatives that know rejection of scientific facts is one of the bigger problems the GOP needs to overcome if they ever want to become more than a minority party.

Firedoglake Republicans Reject Science; Scientists Reject Republicans

Quote:

The Republican Party has a serious infection of anti-science syndrome. And, scientists have noted the The Republican War on Science. The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press came out, last week, with a report entitled Public Praises Science; Scientists Fault Public, Media. This is an interesting polling report, on a number of levels.

As per the title, let us focus on one item: Scientists and Party affiliation. Once, there were sizable portions of the scientific community in basically all portions of the American political scene. No longer. As can be seen in the table to the right, "Partisan and Ideological Differences", of 2500 polled scientists, just 6 percent of the polled identify themselves as Republicans (as opposed to 23 percent of the overall population).
As Stephen Colbert put it, "reality has a well-known liberal bias". (Although, perhaps it truly is that liberals have a bias toward reality?) Scientists work in, specialize in understanding reality. Should it shock anyone that they have a liberal bias?

Now, as Republicans continue to proudly flaunt their Anti-Science Syndrome (A.S.S.) suffering Haters of a Livable Economy (H.O.L.E.) credentials, this poll suggests some severe political risks of determined attacks on science and the scientific community on issues like Global Warming.

"Both scientists and the public overwhelmingly say it is appropriate for scientists to become active in political debates about such issues as nuclear power or stem cell research."
While scientists self-identify as liberal, most American's don't see scientists as liberal. Thus, engaged experts might view themselves as politically liberal, the general public is likely not to view them in this way.
Scientists are the third most respected profession (after the military and teachers)

These three combine to suggest that scientists could be strong spokesman for "liberal", "progressive", "science-based" policy.

Now, disinformation on key issues clearly has had an impact.

"87% of scientists state that evolution is the result of natural processes with just 32 percent public agreement."
"the near consensus among scientists about global warming is not mirrored in the general public. While 84% of scientists say the earth is getting warmer because of human activity such as burning fossil fuels, just 49% of the public agrees."

These sort of significant gaps between expert and informed knowledge and general, public view should be -- are -- troubling. The scientists identify poor media coverage of science as a key problem. And, journalistic analyses of media reporting on global warming agree with that. Thus, the challenge isn't expert knowledge, but communicating that knowledge to the general public with a thick and confusing media filter while dealing with determined disinformation campaigns.

DarkWizard12 · 07-12-09, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe1991

Interesting article, and yes it may sound partisan, except to those conservatives that know rejection of scientific facts is one of the bigger problems the GOP needs to overcome if they ever want to become more than a minority party.

Firedoglake Republicans Reject Science; Scientists Reject Republicans

so how do you explain the 9% that are still conservative?

Shadow Serious · 07-12-09, 11:37 PM

Going to the source i got a break down of the Scientists.

Public Praises Science; Scientists Fault Public, Media: Section 2: Scientists Assess the State of Their Field - Pew Research Center for the People & the Press

Scientists hold overwhelmingly positive views about the current state of science in the United States. More than three-quarters (76%) say that this is generally a “good time” for science, and about as many (73%) say the same about their scientific specialty. That optimism extends to their views about careers in their specialty field; two-thirds (67%) believe this is a very good or good time to begin a career in their discipline.

American achievements in science are also seen in a very positive light. Nearly all (94%) scientists characterize the country’s scientific achievements as either “best in the world” (49%) or above average (45%) compared with other industrialized nations. And scientists’ assessments of the nation’s achievements in their scientific specialties are also quite positive (88% best in the world or above average).

At the same time, scientists say communication and education of the public are significant challenges for science today. Majorities rate television (83%) and newspaper (63%) coverage of science as only fair or poor, while fully 85% identify the public’s low level of scientific knowledge as a major problem for science.

In terms of public outreach, nearly eight-in-ten scientists (77%) say they often or occasionally talk with non-scientists about science or research findings. However, only about a quarter (24%) have heard or read about town halls or other public meetings where scientists and the public discuss controversial research issues. Among those who are aware of the town halls, overwhelming majorities say they have been at least fairly useful for the public (88%) and scientists (83%).

http://people-press.org/reports/images/528-25.gif

i haven't been able to get the info in the box here 1209 of the sample ( i think it is 2888) its getting late for me i'll see about returning tomorrow.

Joe1991 · 07-13-09, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkWizard12

so how do you explain the 9% that are still conservative?

I would imagine that there are many conservative scientists in varying fields that don't conflict with their political views, the rest reconcile it somehow.

Jerry · 07-13-09, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe1991

Interesting article, and yes it may sound partisan, except to those conservatives that know rejection of scientific facts is one of the bigger problems the GOP needs to overcome if they ever want to become more than a minority party.

Firedoglake Republicans Reject Science; Scientists Reject Republicans

Show me this isn't another example of 'the left' using biased polls to create news.

I see that the "public" column was don by Pew, but who conducted the survey producing the "scientists" column?

Were the questions identical, word for word, and were the exact same populations questioned? Were any science disciplines left out?

Even assuming far more scientists are Democrat, how does that in any way mean Republicans are "anti" anything as opposed to simply choosing other valid career fields?

Joe1991 · 07-13-09, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry

Even assuming far more scientists are Democrat, how does that in any way mean Republicans are "anti" anything as opposed to simply choosing other valid career fields?

As the links to the poll showed, 67% said "science conflicts with my beliefs".

We can go down the line from evolution to climate change, heck I even have a conservative sister who thinks the earth is 6,000 years old.

Jerry · 07-13-09, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe1991

As the links to the poll showed, 67% said "science conflicts with my beliefs".

That doesn't mean they're "anti-science".

Morality Games · 07-15-09, 06:17 PM

Quote:

That doesn't mean they're "anti-science".

... yes, it does. A belief is a positive affirmation in something. A thought which conflicts with it must be a negative, an "anti".

Anyway, the Republican Party does not in general value scientific observations.

Dav · 07-15-09, 09:32 PM

As a conservative future scientist I find it ridiculous to claim that Republicans and science reject each other. Most scientists are liberal because it's a profession that attracts liberals, much like art and journalism.

Jerry · 07-16-09, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morality Games

... yes, it does. A belief is a positive affirmation in something.

No, it's not. If that's what you think that word means then you need to stop and pull out a dictionary.

"Belief" is no more a conclusive positive claim than a hypothesis is a supported conclusion.

If science conflicts with beliefs it only means that information available today do not support or so far falsify what that person thinks might actually be. "Further study is needed".

I always get a chuckle when some random atheist hears some theist say "God exists" and starts asking for evidence.

To those atheists, asking for evidence of a belief only demonstrates your own profound ignorance of science, so hop on board the STFU and take a ride over to the library and check out a high-school level science text book and get a clue.

It's a belief, not a fact. It's a premise assumed, not a conclusion supported.

07-12-09, 11:37 PM	#3
Shadow Serious Student Join Date: Mar 2009 Last Seen: Today 11:56 AM Location: Oklahoma Posts: 179 Thanks: 875 Thanked 32 Times in 20 Posts Lean: Libertarian Gender:	Re: Republicans Reject Science; Scientists Reject Republicans Going to the source i got a break down of the Scientists. Public Praises Science; Scientists Fault Public, Media: Section 2: Scientists Assess the State of Their Field - Pew Research Center for the People & the Press Scientists hold overwhelmingly positive views about the current state of science in the United States. More than three-quarters (76%) say that this is generally a “good time” for science, and about as many (73%) say the same about their scientific specialty. That optimism extends to their views about careers in their specialty field; two-thirds (67%) believe this is a very good or good time to begin a career in their discipline. American achievements in science are also seen in a very positive light. Nearly all (94%) scientists characterize the country’s scientific achievements as either “best in the world” (49%) or above average (45%) compared with other industrialized nations. And scientists’ assessments of the nation’s achievements in their scientific specialties are also quite positive (88% best in the world or above average). At the same time, scientists say communication and education of the public are significant challenges for science today. Majorities rate television (83%) and newspaper (63%) coverage of science as only fair or poor, while fully 85% identify the public’s low level of scientific knowledge as a major problem for science. In terms of public outreach, nearly eight-in-ten scientists (77%) say they often or occasionally talk with non-scientists about science or research findings. However, only about a quarter (24%) have heard or read about town halls or other public meetings where scientists and the public discuss controversial research issues. Among those who are aware of the town halls, overwhelming majorities say they have been at least fairly useful for the public (88%) and scientists (83%). http://people-press.org/reports/images/528-25.gif i haven't been able to get the info in the box here 1209 of the sample ( i think it is 2888) its getting late for me i'll see about returning tomorrow.

07-15-09, 09:32 PM	#9
Dav ¿Por qué no te callas? Join Date: Mar 2009 Last Seen: Today 12:47 PM Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 3,167 Thanks: 680 Thanked 1,050 Times in 647 Posts Lean: Slightly Conservative Gender:	Re: Republicans Reject Science; Scientists Reject Republicans As a conservative future scientist I find it ridiculous to claim that Republicans and science reject each other. Most scientists are liberal because it's a profession that attracts liberals, much like art and journalism.
	__________________ "You and I are told increasingly we have to choose between a left or right. Well I'd like to suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There's only an up or down." - Ronald Reagan

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Dav For This Useful Post:
American, DarkWizard12, LaMidRighter

The Following User Says Thank You to Jerry For This Useful Post:
American