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Scientific knowledge on rise

Americans know more about basic science today than they did two decades ago, a find that is good news, but is tempered by a growth in the belief of pseudoscience, such as astrology and visits by extraterrestrial aliens, according to the Associated Press

In 1988 only 10 percent of Americans knew enough about science to understand reports in major newspapers. According to Jon Miller, a Michigan State University professor, by 2005 that number had grown to 28 percent. He reported his findings at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

A panel of researchers were concerned about the number of people giving credence to pseudoscience such as visits by space aliens, lucky numbers and horoscopes, according the AP.
Florida State University professor Carol Susan Losh said the problem with pseudoscience is that it can speak to the meaning of life in ways that science cannot.

She said belief in alien abduction is also on the rise, not surprisingly, with shows such as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek.

Losh said that because pseudoscience discussion is mostly absent from the classroom, extraterrestrial phenomena is left for discussion by the media.

The AP also reported that there has been a decline in the number of people who believe in evolution, while those who believe in creationism and that Earth was created about 10,000 years ago is on the rise.

Miller told the AP a major negative factor affecting scientific literacy was religious fundamentalism and aging.

Having taken college science courses was a strong positive influence, followed by overall education and informal science learning through the media, according to the AP. Having children at home also resulted in adults being more scientifically informed.