Things We Don't Know

Here are some stats from the Chronicle of Higher Education, from an article called "Introductory Science Moves Beyond 'Rocks for Jocks'" in the May 30, 2008 issue:

True or False? (From a survey of American adults, conducted by Michigan State)

1. Early humans were hanging out with the dinosaurs. 50% know this is false.
2. The continents have been moving for millions of years and will continue to do so. 71% know this is true.
3. Regular old tomatoes (like the ones causing salmonella in at least 17 states and therefore disappearing from produce shelves in grocery stores) do not have genes, whereas genetically modified ones do. Only 49% know this is a false statement.
4. Antibiotics kill viruses in addition to bacteria. A mere 55% know this is false, giving doctors all over the place an excellent market for pushing these drugs onto people suffering from things like the common cold, thus contributing to the coffers of the pharmaceutical companies. (Sorry, Steiner, but you know there's some truth to that statement.)
5. Electrons are smaller than atoms. Less than half, 48%, know this is true. What happened to elementary school science class?
6. Lasers work by focusing sound waves. Fifty-four percent are not only suffering from lack of science knowledge, but apparently also are unable to spell, since the "l" at the beginning of "laser" stands for "lightwave" in the acronym; 46% know the answer is "false."
7. The universe began with a huge explosion. Less than one-third, 30%, know this to be true, at least in theory.

I think you have to be a subscriber to the Chronicle to get access online; otherwise, I'd give you the link to the article, which also notes that more than one-third of adults surveyed do not know the earth orbits the sun once a year and four out of five cannot define "molecule." Yet scientific literacy, as defined by a passing score of 70 of 100 points, or the equivalent of being able to comprehend the science section of the NYT or a TV program like Nova, has increased from 10% of the adult American public in 1988 to 25% last year. At the same time, we rank second in the world, behind Sweden, in overall science literacy. Yikes. No wonder the Old Mother seems to be tossing us off with delighted abandon in the form of all sorts of biblical prophecy-like afflictions and disasters.