I wander around some left-of-centre sites quite often, like Crooked Timber, where I came across a post by John Quiggin, an Aussie professor, who went to my alma mater, the Australian National University. It was about an alleged genetic basis to conservatism/Republicanism.
He would be torn apart by those same conservatives, no doubt, for saying this.
More interesting was that he was torn apart by the commentors (over 190 at last count), and has had to raise the white flag: he'll have to repost in a more considered way, he says...
He would be torn apart by those same conservatives, no doubt, for saying this.
More interesting was that he was torn apart by the commentors (over 190 at last count), and has had to raise the white flag: he'll have to repost in a more considered way, he says...
The issue was one that I thought would be pretty much confined to the pages of an academic site like CT, but no.. there was mention of it in our very own South China Morning Post, by the alert Alex Lo, which I reproduce below the post, as it's behind a register-wall [here].
I guess that Alex comes to it via Huffpo, rather than CT, as there was news of the study there as well.
Interesting that "faith in science" is quite low in the US across the spectrum, even amongst liberals and moderates -- though declining most sharply amongst conservatives -- whereas it's so high in China: 90% in "another survey" -- sadly not referenced by Lo.
Related: Chinese bring in foreigners to increase performance of its universities: "Chinese Universities Send Big Signals to Foreigners", NYT, March 11, 2012.
Related: Chinese bring in foreigners to increase performance of its universities: "Chinese Universities Send Big Signals to Foreigners", NYT, March 11, 2012.
US science pays a price for being right |
| One of the two dominant political parties in the world's pre-eminent science powerhouse has taken an overtly anti-science stance. At least, that would be the general impression you get from their science-related pronouncements - on topics ranging from climate change to stem-cell research and evolution - by the leading US Republican presidential candidates. It's an impression borne out by a new study published in the American Sociological Review, which finds the number of conservatives who say they have a "great deal" of trust in science has dropped to 35 per cent, down 28 points from the mid-1970s. However, the figures remain pretty much constant for liberals and moderates since US pollsters started asking the question in 1974. Contrast that with another survey done in China last year, in which more than 90 per cent of respondents said they regard scientists as role models. The study interviewed more than 1,000 people and was conducted as part of an annual China Science Communication Report, published by the China Institute of Science Communication, a Beijing-based independent think tank. It was followed by more in-depth studies with six, 15-member focus groups. China aspires to be a leader in world science, and appears to have won the public's trust and support for this national aspiration. The US, whose scientists routinely dominate the list of winners of Nobel prizes in science and medicine, has been experiencing a culture war over the role of science in public policy and religious life. Many think the Bible is a more trustworthy source of knowledge and history. It seems strange that not more Americans should take pride in an area of intellectual endeavour for which their country is clearly the envy of the world. China has a long way to go. Its university scientific culture is still developing; funding and promotions are often mired in cronyism and hierarchy rather than merit. Plagiarism is widespread. But the country is making rapid progress. Unless Americans smarten up to the intellectual treasure they have, they may one day find China getting ahead. |
