26% of Americans Believe The Sun Revolves Around the Earth (1 Viewer)

[cstu]

Things like this really make me believe we should have some sort of test before people can vote.

Survey: Americans struggle with science; respect scientists

While most Americans could be a bit more knowledgeable in the ways of science, a majority are interested in hearing about the latest scientific breakthroughs and think highly of scientists

While most Americans could be a bit more knowledgeable in the ways of science, a majority are interested in hearing about the latest scientific breakthroughs and think highly of scientists.

This is according to a survey of more than 2,200 people conducted by the National Science Foundation, one that is conducted every two years and is part of a report Science and Engineering Indicators that the National Science Board provides to the president and Congress.

A Michigan State University faculty member served as lead author for the chapter in the report that covers public perceptions of science. John Besley, an associate professor in MSU's Department of Advertising and Public Relations, reviewed the data, as well as similar surveys from around the world, and highlighted key findings on Feb. 14 during the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

According to the survey, more than 90 percent of Americans think scientists are "helping to solve challenging problems" and are "dedicated people who work for the good of humanity."

"It's important for Americans to maintain a high regard for science and scientists," said Besley, who also is the Ellis N. Brandt Chair in Public Relations. "It can help ensure funding and help attract future scientists."

Unfortunately, Americans still have a tough time answering some basic science questions. Out of a total of nine questions that covered the physical and biological sciences, the average score was 6.5 correct answers.

For example, only 74 percent of those queried knew that the Earth revolved around the sun, while fewer than half (48 percent) knew that human beings developed from earlier species of animals.

Some of the other highlights of the survey include:

A majority of Americans more than 90 percent say they are "very interested" or "moderately interested" in learning about new medical discoveries.

The United States appears to be relatively strong in the use of what's known as "informal science education." Nearly 60 percent of Americans have visited a zoo/aquarium, natural history museum or a science and technology museum.

Nearly 90 percent of those surveyed think the benefits of science outweigh any potential dangers.

About a third of the respondents think science and technology should get more funding.

 

[timschochet]

It says they think highly of scientists. But when the subject is global warming, apparently there is a significant chunk of our population who watches Fox News and believes that most scientists are engaged in a world wide conspiracy of lies.

 

[tonydead]

Things like this really make me believe we should have some sort of test before people can vote.

while fewer than half (48 percent) knew that human beings developed from earlier species of animals.

DrJ's beeper just went off.

 

[Insein]

All this tells me is that 26% of Americans are too sarcastic for their own good. I'd probably answer it that way to since its so insulting. Its like asking what color the sky is.

 

[Leroy Hoard]

Some believe everything revolves around Uranus.

 

[Apes with Guns]

what is that site? is it hosted on compuserve?

 

[jon_mx]

It says they think highly of scientists. But when the subject is global warming, apparently there is a significant chunk of our population who watches Fox News and believes that most scientists are engaged in a world wide conspiracy of lies.

Would you drop this? You neither understand or can explain or defend the science. You can't even define what you mean by global warming. The debate is not about whether climate is changing, it is the extend of which the changes are caused by man-made CO2, which science has no good answer for at this time.

 

[McGarnicle]

There are really people out there who don't know the earth revolves around the moon???

 

[Scoresman]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

 

[jon_mx]

Some believe everything revolves around Uranus.

Everyone know it revolves around heranus.

 

[jon_mx]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

You are obsessed beyond repair.

 

[joffer]

Actually they both revolve around the earth-sun barycenter

 

[timschochet]

It says they think highly of scientists. But when the subject is global warming, apparently there is a significant chunk of our population who watches Fox News and believes that most scientists are engaged in a world wide conspiracy of lies.

Would you drop this? You neither understand or can explain or defend the science. You can't even define what you mean by global warming. The debate is not about whether climate is changing, it is the extend of which the changes are caused by man-made CO2, which science has no good answer for at this time.

As long as you and many others continue to state this as fact, I can't drop it, sorry.

 

[drunken slob]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

A better question would be: How many went to government schools and vote for democrat policy.

 

[Sand]

It says they think highly of scientists. But when the subject is global warming, apparently there is a significant chunk of our population who watches Fox News and believes that most scientists are engaged in a world wide conspiracy of lies.

Yes, because the question of something figured out 400 years ago is the same as one in which 1000+ technical papers are delivered each year (and they're still getting it wrong). Spot on analogy.

ETA: Just as a note what the OP indicated in the title really isn't what was reported. It just indicates that 25% of the populace are ignorant. Not that they are Copernicus haters.

 

[jon_mx]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

Oddly, people in Europe and China fared about the same on most of these questions and even worse on this question. Just how many Christian republicans do you think China has?

 

[Lutherman2112]

All this tells me is that 26% of Americans are too sarcastic for their own good. I'd probably answer it that way to since its so insulting. Its like asking what color the sky is.

It was a straightforward question: Does the Earth go around the Sun, or does the Sun go around the Earth?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

It's incredible that 1 in 4 Americans believes this. No wonder why politicians figure the general public will never figure out what they are up to and doing. Technology moving at such a fast pace, a pace set by highly intelligent people but in the process leaving a wider gap between the intelligent and ignorant folks. As that gap widens so has the income disparity and eventually these people are gonna feel pinched to the point they start picking up bricks.

It's just a question and quick story that some folks will laugh at but honestly it also is a sad indictment of society and the world I'm afraid. Good thread but I doubt many folks raise too big of an eyebrow. We have 75% of this country that says openly they are Christian and believe in the bible to some degree. If you doubt most of the bible or think it might be a work of fiction, then this story is pretty believable.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

CSTU, ty because I now have my opening tomorrow when I meet all my classes. "Don't be the 1 in 4 who thinks the sun revolves around the Earth."

-perfect

 

[buck naked]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are poor and vote Democrat because somebody fed them the line that they are entitled to government handouts their entire lives.

 

[Apes with Guns]

It says they think highly of scientists. But when the subject is global warming, apparently there is a significant chunk of our population who watches Fox News and believes that most scientists are engaged in a world wide conspiracy of lies.

Would you drop this? You neither understand or can explain or defend the science. You can't even define what you mean by global warming. The debate is not about whether climate is changing, it is the extend of which the changes are caused by man-made CO2, which science has no good answer for at this time.

As long as you and many others continue to state this as fact, I can't drop it, sorry.

but you should.

internet debates are not a war you can win. and honestly, if you accept that you cannot change the minds of other people on the net, and that they have every right to their opinion, it will make your world a happier place to be in. who doesn't want that?

 

[jonessed]

I know most people are morons, but it's always depressing to hear it stated in factual terms.

Tim, shut the #### up already. Not every thread has to be about you and your obsessions.

 

[LinusMarr]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

You guys crack me up lol

 

[timschochet]

I know most people are morons, but it's always depressing to hear it stated in factual terms.

Tim, shut the #### up already. Not every thread has to be about you and your obsessions.

Sounds like some people around here are getting touchy, which is quite understandable. Personally I'd be embarrasses to be skeptical of man made global warming.

 

[Scoresman]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are poor and vote Democrat because somebody fed them the line that they are entitled to government handouts their entire lives.

probably not many

 

[jon_mx]

I know most people are morons, but it's always depressing to hear it stated in factual terms.

Tim, shut the #### up already. Not every thread has to be about you and your obsessions.

Sounds like some people around here are getting touchy, which is quite understandable. Personally I'd be embarrasses to be skeptical of man made global warming.

It is far more embarrassing and mind-numbing to blindly accept everything they tell you as fact.

 

[Ilov80s]

I know most people are morons, but it's always depressing to hear it stated in factual terms.

Tim, shut the #### up already. Not every thread has to be about you and your obsessions.

It's one of those facts people should know, but it's knowledge or lack of has no real implications on ones life or success.

 

[LinusMarr]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are poor and vote Democrat because somebody fed them the line that they are entitled to government handouts their entire lives.

haha

 

[Eephus]

I think survey fatigue could be coloring the data. Hardly a day goes by where I'm not solicited to take part in some survey or another. This is on top of all the other data collection that takes place via social media and various "club" cards. I wonder if it's possible for a survey to get near 100% agreement on any fact based question.

 

[lod01]

It's incredible that 1 in 4 Americans believes this. No wonder why politicians figure the general public will never figure out what they are up to and doing. Technology moving at such a fast pace, a pace set by highly intelligent people but in the process leaving a wider gap between the intelligent and ignorant folks. As that gap widens so has the income disparity and eventually these people are gonna feel pinched to the point they start picking up bricks.

It's just a question and quick story that some folks will laugh at but honestly it also is a sad indictment of society and the world I'm afraid. Good thread but I doubt try many folks raise too big of an eyebrow. We have 75% of this country that says openly they are Christian and believe int he bible to some degree. If you doubt most of the bible or think it might be a work of fiction, then this story is pretty believable.

It pretty much also guarantees that the democrats and republicans will never have to worry about being eliminated. Their plan is virtually complete. Create a dumb ### society to rule over.

I wonder what the % was 10 or 20 years ago.

 

[Tchula]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

Nonsense! Every single one of them voted for Obama and is on welfare. You know it in your heart.

 

[avoiding injuries]

I know most people are morons, but it's always depressing to hear it stated in factual terms.

Tim, shut the #### up already. Not every thread has to be about you and your obsessions.

Sounds like some people around here are getting touchy, which is quite understandable. Personally I'd be embarrasses to be skeptical of man made global warming.

You might be the most polite AND condescending poster on this site. It is remarkable.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

All this tells me is that 26% of Americans are too sarcastic for their own good. I'd probably answer it that way to since its so insulting. Its like asking what color the sky is.

It was a straightforward question: Does the Earth go around the Sun, or does the Sun go around the Earth?

Where are you seeing the question? The short linked article doesn't say what the 26% "believe", only speaks to what the 74% "knew."

 

[timschochet]

I know most people are morons, but it's always depressing to hear it stated in factual terms.

Tim, shut the #### up already. Not every thread has to be about you and your obsessions.

Sounds like some people around here are getting touchy, which is quite understandable. Personally I'd be embarrasses to be skeptical of man made global warming.

You might be the most polite AND condescending poster on this site. It is remarkable.

I try to be polite all the time, but Im only condescending to people who are rude to me (like telling me to shut the #### up).

 

[Ilov80s]

I think survey fatigue could be coloring the data. Hardly a day goes by where I'm not solicited to take part in some survey or another. This is on top of all the other data collection that takes place via social media and various "club" cards. I wonder if it's possible for a survey to get near 100% agreement on any fact based question.

If there were a lot if questions and people were just trying to get it over with as quick as possible, there could be a decent amount that misread the question. It's pretty common for students in class to mix up this they know because they were in a hurry, misread or just had a brainfart.

 

[tonydead]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are poor and vote Democrat because somebody fed them the line that they are entitled to government handouts their entire lives.

haha

If you take out "republican" and "democrat" I think they both have done a good job identifying groups that have a propensity to be intellectually handicapped.

 

[tom22406]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are poor and vote Democrat because somebody fed them the line that they are entitled to government handouts their entire lives.

haha

If you take out "republican" and "democrat" I think they both have done a good job identifying groups that have a propensity to be intellectually handicapped.

Plenty of stupid to go around in both parties.

 

[Flying V]

What's even more amazing is how gullible people are.

 

[jon_mx]

I think survey fatigue could be coloring the data. Hardly a day goes by where I'm not solicited to take part in some survey or another. This is on top of all the other data collection that takes place via social media and various "club" cards. I wonder if it's possible for a survey to get near 100% agreement on any fact based question.

If there were a lot if questions and people were just trying to get it over with as quick as possible, there could be a decent amount that misread the question. It's pretty common for students in class to mix up this they know because they were in a hurry, misread or just had a brainfart.

Or they could be correct and the question is poor. From the perspective of someone on earth, the sun is revolving around us. From the perspective of other locations in our solar system, it would appear the sun is relatively stationary and the earth spins and orbits around the sun.

 

[tonydead]

I think survey fatigue could be coloring the data. Hardly a day goes by where I'm not solicited to take part in some survey or another. This is on top of all the other data collection that takes place via social media and various "club" cards. I wonder if it's possible for a survey to get near 100% agreement on any fact based question.

If there were a lot if questions and people were just trying to get it over with as quick as possible, there could be a decent amount that misread the question. It's pretty common for students in class to mix up this they know because they were in a hurry, misread or just had a brainfart.

Or they could be correct and the question is poor. From the perspective of someone on earth, the sun is revolving around us. From the perspective of other locations in our solar system, it would appear the sun is relatively stationary and the earth spins and orbits around the sun.

 

[Lutherman2112]

It's incredible that 1 in 4 Americans believes this. No wonder why politicians figure the general public will never figure out what they are up to and doing. Technology moving at such a fast pace, a pace set by highly intelligent people but in the process leaving a wider gap between the intelligent and ignorant folks. As that gap widens so has the income disparity and eventually these people are gonna feel pinched to the point they start picking up bricks.

It's just a question and quick story that some folks will laugh at but honestly it also is a sad indictment of society and the world I'm afraid. Good thread but I doubt try many folks raise too big of an eyebrow. We have 75% of this country that says openly they are Christian and believe int he bible to some degree. If you doubt most of the bible or think it might be a work of fiction, then this story is pretty believable.

It pretty much also guarantees that the democrats and republicans will never have to worry about being eliminated. Their plan is virtually complete. Create a dumb ### society to rule over.

I wonder what the % was 10 or 20 years ago.

From SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING INDICATORS 2014, Chapter 7: Science and Technology: Public Attitudes and Understanding from where the OP info was taken:

A primary indicator of public understanding of science in the United States comes from a nine-question index of factual knowledge questions included in the GSS. In 2012, Americans were able to correctly answer an average of 5.8 of the 9 items (65%), which is slightly up from 2010 (5.6 of 9 items, or 63%) (appendix table 7-8).

The public’s level of factual knowledge about science has not changed much over the past two decades (figure 7-6). Since 2001, the average number of correct answers to a series of nine questiions for which fully comparable data have been collected has ranged from 5.6 to 5.8 correct responses, although scores for individual questions have varied somewhat over time. Pew Research used several of the same questions in a 2013 survey and received nearly identical results (Pew Research Center 2013a).

Same questions were not always used every survey.

Entire report linked to pdf of each chapter.

 

[MaxThreshold]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

Says the self proclaimed "Independent".

Sure, buddy, you're "Independent".

 

[Lutherman2112]

All this tells me is that 26% of Americans are too sarcastic for their own good. I'd probably answer it that way to since its so insulting. Its like asking what color the sky is.

It was a straightforward question: Does the Earth go around the Sun, or does the Sun go around the Earth?

Where are you seeing the question? The short linked article doesn't say what the 26% "believe", only speaks to what the 74% "knew."

Entire report here.

Chapter 7 has the survey information.

 

[Ilov80s]

I know some people that might get this wrong (my mother in law for example). It isn't because they are religious and firmly believe it out of religion. They would get it wrong because they guessed wrong. They just don't like science and don't care about planets or physics or even basic space facts.

 

[Dentist]

Science is a Liar Sometimes

 

[tonydead]

I know some people that might get this wrong (my mother in law for example). It isn't because they are religious and firmly believe it out of religion. They would get it wrong because they guessed wrong. They just don't like science and don't care about planets or physics or even basic space facts.

I'm guessing she is religious though?

 

[Ilov80s]

I know some people that might get this wrong (my mother in law for example). It isn't because they are religious and firmly believe it out of religion. They would get it wrong because they guessed wrong. They just don't like science and don't care about planets or physics or even basic space facts.

I'm guessing she is religious though?

Not really. She is Catholic but isn't really practicing. She goes to church once or twice a year, usually just to placate her mother.

 

[Scoresman]

I'd like to see how many out of this 26% are against gays, believe in creationism, and vote republican.

Says the self proclaimed "Independent".

Sure, buddy, you're "Independent".

I am. its not my fault that republicans these days make themselves the easiest targets.

 

[NCCommish]

Actually they both revolve around the earth-sun barycenter

Yes but in most single star systems like ours the barycenter is in the star, in this case the Sun. So it's a minor distinction.

 

[NCCommish]

I think survey fatigue could be coloring the data. Hardly a day goes by where I'm not solicited to take part in some survey or another. This is on top of all the other data collection that takes place via social media and various "club" cards. I wonder if it's possible for a survey to get near 100% agreement on any fact based question.

If there were a lot if questions and people were just trying to get it over with as quick as possible, there could be a decent amount that misread the question. It's pretty common for students in class to mix up this they know because they were in a hurry, misread or just had a brainfart.

Or they could be correct and the question is poor. From the perspective of someone on earth, the sun is revolving around us. From the perspective of other locations in our solar system, it would appear the sun is relatively stationary and the earth spins and orbits around the sun.

This really explains a lot.