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.
The book discusses about the rift between society and scientific community. It deals specifically with four arms of society namely; politics, media, entertainment and religion [4]. Authors feel society inadvertently or intentionally work against science and for the mess the scientists have to be squarely blamed [4].
Authors suggests, to fundamentally the change the way science is imparted to children. They feel mere increasing the science student count will not improve the situation as job prospects in science is limited. This view is quite opposite to NAS recommendation [4]. Authors have suggested to train a small army of science ambassadors who will articulate their stand to the politicians, media and general public. The suggestions are not taken well by the book reviewers [3-4]. Yun Xie, reviewer of the book [3] has raised doubt in the efficacy of arts-exposed-scientist who can interact with politicians, and media solving world problems. She feels the book has admirable goals but lack of substance.
The book is not the first one to bring out this rift to public forum. In way back in 1959 Charles Percy Snow, an English physical chemist and novelist lamented in his lecture titled “The Two Cultures”. In that lecture C.P. Snow says that scientists and literary elites form two islands. They follow cultures that are incomprehensible to one another. For example, scientists have little knowledge on works of Shakespeare likewise literary intellectuals are unaware of Second Law of thermodynamics. This forms a great barrier to solve world problems [2].
Authors suggests, to fundamentally the change the way science is imparted to children. They feel mere increasing the science student count will not improve the situation as job prospects in science is limited. This view is quite opposite to NAS recommendation [4]. Authors have suggested to train a small army of science ambassadors who will articulate their stand to the politicians, media and general public. The suggestions are not taken well by the book reviewers [3-4]. Yun Xie, reviewer of the book [3] has raised doubt in the efficacy of arts-exposed-scientist who can interact with politicians, and media solving world problems. She feels the book has admirable goals but lack of substance.
The book is not the first one to bring out this rift to public forum. In way back in 1959 Charles Percy Snow, an English physical chemist and novelist lamented in his lecture titled “The Two Cultures”. In that lecture C.P. Snow says that scientists and literary elites form two islands. They follow cultures that are incomprehensible to one another. For example, scientists have little knowledge on works of Shakespeare likewise literary intellectuals are unaware of Second Law of thermodynamics. This forms a great barrier to solve world problems [2].
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| Figure 1. Carl Sagan - scientist turned TV anchor Source: Wiki Commons |
In 1970s American named Carl Sagan came as a successor to C.P. Snow. He is a scientist turned TV show anchor. He anchored a series named ‘Cosmos’ in PBS Television. It was well received by the public and got appreciation from scientists as well. Carl Sagan warned people of scientific illiteracy [4]. His warning was conveyed through his final published book titled “Demon Haunted World” and the warnings is given in own words through following quote;
“We've arranged a global civilization in which most crucial elements profoundly depend on science and technology. We have also arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. This is a prescription for disaster. We might get away with it for a while, but sooner of later this combustible mixture of ignorance and power is going to blow up in our faces.”
Carl Sagan used to write science articles with minimal mathematics so as to reach the public. Purist scientists felt Carl Sagan is oversimplifying science for his popularity. The science community was not very grateful for his service of promoting science among public. He was denied a tenured professorship in Harvard University. In 1992 he was nominated for prestigious National Academy of Science (NAS) of USA. But he did not get adequate support to join the academy.
Everyone accept that the “aura” behind science has shrunk to a great extent. This fact is known to scientists but they have to internalize the fact. Many methods are aired to bring back to the golden era of science and scientists. Scientists have to arrive at consensus and implement the agreed solution.
Everyone accept that the “aura” behind science has shrunk to a great extent. This fact is known to scientists but they have to internalize the fact. Many methods are aired to bring back to the golden era of science and scientists. Scientists have to arrive at consensus and implement the agreed solution.
References
- Unscientific America [Available Online] http://www.unscientificamerica.com/ (Click Here)
- C.P. Snow – Wikipedia [Available Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._P._Snow
- Saving science from “Unscientific America” | Ars Technica [Available Online] http://arstechnica.com/science/2009/09/unscientific-america-surprisingly-unscientific/ (Click Here)
- APS Physics | FED | Book Review of Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future [Available Online] https://www.aps.org/units/fed/newsletters/fall2009/hobson.cfm (Click Here)
