"We know from polls how ignorant the general public is about science. Almost half of all adults in the United States now believe in astrology and in angels and demons, and that we are being observed by aliens and UFOs who frequently abduct humans. More than half believe that evolution is an unverified a theory. Science education in our nation, especially in lower grades, is getting worse, not better. Several states are constantly doing their best to force public schools to teach creationism. Greedy publishers, interested only in profit, turn out book after book on astrology, ufology, the occult, dangerous programs to lose weight without exercising or cutting calories, and every known variety of dubious medicine. The electronic media are equal offenders. Every year I hope the tide is about to turn, and that contributors to television, radio, and the Internet will become so appalled by the flood of fake science they keep flinging at the public that they will at least try to tone it down. Alas, every year the flood gets worse."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Academics from the United StatesMathematicians from the United StatesNon-fiction authorsDeistsMagicians from the United States
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Introduction (pp. 2-3)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Gardner
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Martin Gardner
Martin Gardner (October 21, 1914 – May 22, 2010) was an American recreational mathematician, magician, skeptic, and author of the long-running "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American from 1956 to 1981.
34 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Martin Gardner →
Related Quotes
"For reasons that reflect popular ignorance of science, combined with a love of miracles, the notion that fresh eggs b…"
"This confusion of the certainty of mathematics within a formal system and the uncertainty of its applications to the …"
"Suppose, however, there is not enough time for measures to be taken to prevent a collision, and earth is shattered by…"
"The King James Bible is a literary masterpiece best left unaltered. It is a classic to put on a shelf alongside the g…"
"Public infatuation with alternative medicines of all varieties shows no sign of abating. Acupuncture, homeopathy, aro…"
"My attack on Freud brought a raft of angry letters from dedicated Freudians. One reader assured me that Freudianism i…"
"Debunking bad science should be constant obligation of the science community, even if it takes time away from serious…"
"Bad science contributes to the steady dumbing down of our nation. Crude beliefs get transmitted to political leaders …"
"Let the Bible be the Bible! It’s not about science. It’s not accurate history. It is a grab bag of religious fantasie…"
"The deeper question that lies behind the above banalities is whether the rules of baseball are similar to or radicall…"