How stupid are people?

[Tero]

MAGA voters do not understand algae in the DC reflecting pool. So I wondered what else, aside from vaccines, they fail at.

So I had to ask AI in a general way.

Yes, there are extensive and recurring studies on what science concepts the general public understands. The most prominent research comes from the Pew Research Center and the National Science Board. Overall, adults have a solid grasp of basic, everyday facts, but struggle with abstract scientific methods.

What the Public Understands WellEveryday Health & Medicine: Most adults understand the risks of antibiotic overuse and correctly identify the definition of an incubation period.

Basic Earth & Physical Sciences: The vast majority of Americans know that the Earth’s core is its hottest layer, the Earth revolves around the Sun, and uranium is used for nuclear energy.

Distinguishing Pseudoscience: Nearly three-quarters of the public can successfully differentiate astronomy from astrology.

Concepts that are Frequently MisunderstoodScientific Processes: While the public uses science daily (e.g., relying on weather apps), many struggle with the fundamentals of how science works. Only about half of U.S. adults can correctly identify what a scientific hypothesis is, and slightly more know the function of a control group.

Abstract Physics: Only about 35% of the public knows that amplitude (height) determines the loudness of a sound wave.

Thermodynamics & Chemistry: Only a third of adults understand that water boils at a lower temperature at high altitudes.

How Framing Changes UnderstandingStudies highlight that public comprehension is highly dependent on how a concept is framed. For instance, when asked if "the universe began with a huge explosion" (the Big Bang), only 38% of respondents answered correctly.

Studies highlight that public comprehension is highly dependent on how a concept is framed. For instance, when asked if "the universe began with a huge explosion" (the Big Bang), only 38% of respondents answered correctly. However, simply adding the preface "according to astronomers" to the exact same question caused the correct response rate to jump to 65%.

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/201 ... t-science/

[Tero]

In Pew link: looks like the independents and middle tend to be stupid

Republicans and Democrats have similar levels of understanding about science, in contrast to the wide differences by education and racial and ethnic group. Republicans and independents who lean to the Republican Party average seven correct answers, while Democrats and independents who lean to the Democratic Party average 6.6.

Those at the ends of the political spectrum – liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans – score higher than those in the middle, however. On average, liberal Democrats get 7.8 correct answers and conservative Republicans score 7.4. In comparison, moderate and liberal Republicans get an average of 6.5 correct answers, while moderate and conservative Democrats get an average of 5.6.

[Tero]

science and technology

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, data indicated that most Americans do look for S&T-related information—at least occasionally—on their own. The Wellcome Global Monitor 2018 survey highlighted the extent to which people around the world had attempted to get information about science in the 30 days before the survey (Gallup 2019). The majority of Americans surveyed (56%) reported having sought such information (Figure PPS-9)—a significantly higher percentage than most of their counterparts in 15 other countries that, like the United States, make substantial investments in S&T R&D. Americans also had sought information about medicine and disease at higher rates than citizens of most other nations in the survey, with 72% having looked for information on medicine, disease, or health in the previous month; the average for citizens seeking similar content in all nations was 50% (Figure PPS-10).

https://ncses.nsf.gov/pubs/nsb20244/inf ... nvolvement

[Tero]

They sort of failed to ask why.
"Would you rather be googling about global warming or having sex on a daily basis?"

[Svartalf]

clearly have sex, I can get data on global warming without bothering a search engine.

[Tero]

Well, since we are talking MAGA, most of them don't care. And I don't actually care. I have a stronger feeling about being dependent on Amazon.