Comments on: Pew poll pupils

By: Mara

Mara — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:59:59 +0000

Got a 11/12. The age thing didn’t list me, though– five years too young. I couldn’t remember if viruses were technically “biotic.” Evidently they’re not. :)

By: AudreyR

AudreyR — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:07:16 +0000

Interesting. This high school only educated young woman found that quiz simple.

By: foothillsfarm

foothillsfarm — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 22:01:51 +0000

My 10 year old scored better than 80% of the public.

By: Hermann

Hermann — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 16:55:59 +0000

I agree! I didn’t like the Pluto question which is more about pop-culture than understanding how the world works.
The answers to the CO2 question are probably skewed because of politics. My guess is that a lot more people are aware of the CO2 connection but cast their lot with the ‘deniers’.

Besides that, I am disappointed in the 18-29 age group. They could only outscore the 65+ group. This doesn’t bode well for our future.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 15:31:59 +0000

It is true, the term “size” is ill-defined for particles. At best, one could talk about relative cross sections for how well particles interact with other particles. In this case, the electron is much much smaller than a hydrogen atom (the smallest), and for that matter, even just the proton.

I remember being so frustrated back in high school when taking standardized tests because some of the questions would betray the question writer’s lack of understanding of a topic.

By: tmac57

tmac57 — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:56:36 +0000

Well, my understanding is that a point particle is considered, at present to have zero spatial dimension. The size of a whole atom, while not well defined, is at least non-zero, which in math would be considered the larger of the two. So maybe this boils down to a semantical difference. Also, the mass of the electron is less than the mass of the atom, which could also be considered ‘smaller’ mass.

By: Ajzzz

Ajzzz — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:48:02 +0000

While I got 100%, I read the science sections on news sites and listen to three science themed podcasts. I don’t expect everyone to know that water was found on mars, or that pluto is not a planet. A lot of people aren’t effected by tsunamis. Not knowing what stem cells are, and that CO2 causes warming is troubling given the political battles that are happening. Not know that radioactivity is not only caused by man, electrons are smaller than atoms, and lasers are focused light shows a outstanding deep ignorance. Not knowing antibiotics don’t kill viruses is dangerous ignorance. Apparently doctors are prescribing antibiotics for viruses because they give into patients demands.

By: Anthony O'Neal

Anthony O'Neal — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:49:51 +0000

I failed to read the “over-the-counter” portion of the first question, and immediately assumed they were talking about cholesterol reducing drugs (statins, BTW), so I clicked on the one that sounded strangest (cortisol).

Meh. Old people can worry about that one.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:41:15 +0000

Managed 12/12, 20/20, but the fast food question did give me pause, if only because I am familiar with the franchise model of business. The character of your product is semi-fixed by the franchise home office (to varying degree). So it is not entirely obvious that the quality would go up. Then again, even a McD’s might make sure those fries are crispy instead of soggy?

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:21:00 +0000

Statistically, women in the households tend to make the medical decisions. It reasonably follows they pay more attention to the topic.