Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Jordan
I don't think those in the U.S. all need to have science or engineering degrees to get along. However, I'd consider a well-rounded basic knowledge of science to be essential to Americans' daily lives.
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There is a big difference between not knowing fine details of science and not even grasping the very most basic of overall concepts. It is the difference between not knowing that the average orbital distance of the Earth from the Sun is 93 million miles and not knowing that the Earth orbits the Sun. It is the difference between knowing that the speed of light is around 300,000 km/s and not knowing that the speed of light is higher than the speed of sound. It is the difference between (to touch on other fields, any will do) not knowing the names of all the major battles of WWII and not knowing that the Allies won it. Not remembering the fine details is understandable-- not knowing the very roughest outline is an inexcusable, unforgivable failure of the educational system.