Those doyens of the digital world have just discovered something that you already know:
We Want MORE Science News!
Because you are on this web site and listent to SciFri audio and watch our Pick o’ The Week videos this news does not come as much of a surprise. A new Pew Research Center report found that of all the news subjects folks wanted more of, SCIENCE was at the top of the list:
Courtesy: Pew Research Center
Science even beat out religion and spirituality.
Hello!! Where have you pollsters been all these years? Maybe now you’ll add a question or two about science and technology to those clip boards or phone surveys when polling the “important” issues.
Duh, I have been trying to tell my internet povider that for years now.
Yes, yes, yes…more science news, please, and not just recent biological discoveries. What ever happened to the excitement about astrophysics that began in the 1950′s with Sputnik and the space race of the 1960′s? Now, we have entered a place in time and place in space where the earth’s magnetic poles are shifting, possibly leading to a total flip as they have several times in prehistory; where the outer planets in our solar system have had both their atmospheres and surfaces significantly impacted by the movement of our planetary system into an interstellar energy cloud (a once-in-every-26,000 year event within our galaxy which will ultimately impact the earth in possibly very damaging ways); and where the earth’s magnetic field which protects us from the sun’s damaging rays is, inexplicably, shrinking. Some scientists believe this is why we are experiencing more prominent earthquakes, volcanoes and severe weather events. Global warming isn’t being discussed as the cause of possible near-future significant geological earth changes even though the geologic record indicates that previous global warming cycles were. What, for example, happens to the earth’s tectonic plates as the massive weight of melting ice is shifted as it turns to water around the globe? Kilimanjaro, it is ventured, will be without ice in less than ten years. Yet, these astrophysical events/possible causes of future catastrophes don’t make the general news and aren’t the subject of many “feature” programs. The federal government has, however, withheld specific information about some of the related data (for example: physical changes in the Yellowstone area as a result of possible supervolcanic activity). Apparently, someone in D.C. thinks this news is of sufficient import to block it from public view. Can fear of public reaction really be the reason?
Help us widen the media conversation beyond NPR, Ira!
I’m excited by this idea, too. But is 44% actually statistically significant here? Let’s be analytical!
As a physics and astronomy teacher, I find that you and this poll are correct…but, unfortunately, students only seem to want scientific news and trivia. They do not seem to care deeply enough to expend the effort or time to take their curiosity to the point of understanding. It is disappointing as a teacher to be faced with students that just “want the facts”, let them memorize, and go on to the next thing. Without analysis and a commitment to understanding, the science news just isn’t the answer we need.
ira pls no more arts cover more sci and enf left wing planet warming not true and egg heads better then me.way over payed.
After the tree-ring data debacle, it seems that the general public still sees value in science discussion. Maybe “we” are smarter than “we” think?
Good to see this statistic. The public needs more science/tech input to do a better job in using all these complex electronic devices in their inexperienced hands. Take the car for instance–now with 30 microprocessors that do all sorts of good things for performance and safety. If the public understood the electronic car better they might change their behavior in how they drive it and be better equipped to avoid accidents that are 90% the fault of driver behavior. Think of the Apple store One-to-One experience in teaching customers about Apple computers–an outstanding approach. Possible to do on Science Friday?
I was disappointed in the dancing babies! Only 3 babies, and far more video time of old black and white drawings and dancers! I have seen more baby dancing in line at the grocery! I do agree that they are darling, but will need footage of the caliber of Snowball to melt my heart! Thanks for a great show!