[PLUG-TALK] Birds Aren't Real!

[Tomas Kuchta]

On Fri, Dec 10, 2021, 16:55 Paul Heinlein <heinlein at madboa.com> wrote:

> On Fri, 10 Dec 2021, Rich Shepard wrote:
>
> > On Fri, 10 Dec 2021, Paul Heinlein wrote:
> >
> >> I don't know what the answer is, but my current opinion is that
> >> vulnerability surface (to borrow a phrase) is much larger than facts and
> >> clear logic.
> >
> > Paul,
> >
> > I suspect that not teaching science in all grades has a lot to do with
> it.
> > And, more importantly, not teaching students how to learn since that's a
> > life-long need.
>
> Richard Hofstadter wrote "Anti-Intellectualism in American Life" back
> in 1963. Kurt Anderson's 2017 book "Fantasyland" details fact-free
> Americana from the Salem Witch Trials onward. Current K-12 curricula
> undoubtedly reflect some of those same trends. I'm not sure that
> increasing science education will address the real issues, although
> I'm all for rigorous and engaging education.
> .


I suspect (have no clue otherwise) that it is much simpler than that; and
it starts in family at early age. With things like brushing teeth arguments
for decades to come every night - Rather then getting on with things,
simply trusting dentist/parent and moving on onto something productive.

These little endless discussions pile up by adulthood, completely escaping
the notion that complex societies can only progress by building on the back
of the previous abd advanced knowledge.

It is my opinion that too many minds are stuck in 18 century, at some time
0 and are convinced the the world should be immutable. Or return there to
immutability. Or have the cake and eat it too .....

I bet that there are millions of better opinions, than mine. Precisely for
that reason, I do not mind accepting qualified advice and getting the darn
jab. Every year! It helps.

-T

>