I recently stumbled upon a promotional website for a book titled “Unscientific America” [1]. I read the material presented in the promotional website and the websites that reviewed the book “Unscientific America”[3-4]. In this post views of authors and reviewers are summarized and presented.
At the time of World War II (1939-1945), scientists were regarded as superstars. Their contribution was very vital for war machinery and in turn paved way to victory. Over the decades the disenchantment with science proliferated among the public. Scientists were unaware of this phenomenon and went on business as usual [3].
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is a non-profit society having distinguished scientists as its members. It was created by act of Congress (American parliament) and the draft was signed by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It functions as an advisory board to America in the matters of science and technology. NAS has produced a report titled “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” in 2005. In that it has acknowledged the erosion of America’s supremacy in science and Technology. Dramatic increase in science students is offered as a solution to stem the erosion.
Theme of Unscientific America’ revolves around decline in science and technology temper and its consequences. Authors of the book lament that the urgent problems of current century need science-based solutions. But science illiteracy or dislike is increasing as decades passes by. For example only one minute is devoted to science out of five hour news reporting [1]. Over the decades the size of science weekly sections in newspaper has shrunken by two-thirds. Around 46 percentage of Americans deny evolution. Above examples is tip of the iceberg in anti-science stand.
