There’s a new book out called Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future, coauthored by a young marine scientist named Sheril Kirshenbaum. You can find much more info at the book website.
In Unscientific America we explain how religious ideologues,
science-phobic politicians, a profit-driven media, and
hyperspecialized scientists have all helped create a dangerous state
of affairs–one in which we find a vast gap between the world of
science and the U.S. public.

Some alarming facts: For every five hours of cable news, less than a
minute is devoted to science; 46 percent of Americans reject evolution and think the Earth is less than 10,000 years old; the number of newspapers with weekly science sections has shrunken by two-thirds in recent years. The public is polarized over climate change and in dangerous retreat from childhood vaccinations. Meanwhile, only 18 percent of Americans know a scientist personally; more than half can’t name a living scientist role model.

The book examines the root causes of these disconnects, and proposes a broad array of initiatives to reverse the current trend, and to bring about a greater integration of science into our national
discourse–before it’s too late.

Writes Chris Mooney of Discover Magazine: “Please drop by your bookstore ‘in the
next week’ and pick up a copy — it should be on display, and if it
isn’t, ask them to order more. And here’s to a more scientifically
literate America!

Tags: Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future

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