The journalists who write most of the popular articles are illiterate at science, or they would not be journalists in the first place!
These journalists are the ones from whom the majority of folks get their science.
Agreed...but as I have said before, writing snippy putdowns toward those who don't know science, is not going to educate people very much.
Not that you've done that too often...but there seem to be a number of opuses and near-opuses from many of the pro-evo regulars on the crevo threads...
...was this planned earlier on Darwin Central or something?
Cheers!
Not that you've done that too often...but there seem to be a number of opuses and near-opuses from many of the pro-evo regulars on the crevo threads...
...was this planned earlier on Darwin Central or something?
Since you have been one of the honest posters on these threads I will give you the best answer I can.
I have tried to write a number of full responses to the science-deniers, but I get little in return. For example, I have done a lot of long explanations of radiocarbon dating (one of the things I do a lot of), only to be answered by 1) a snippet from a creationist website which is dedicated to apologetics, and to trashing science, or 2) something on the intellectual level of "where you there?" This has happened in the posts I have made dealing with fossil man (a subject I studied extensively in grad school).
The opuses and near-opuses are from folks who have tried to explain science to those who are unwilling to learn, and who have exhausted their patience. FR in the last year or so has taken a decided anti-science stance, and the real scientists on the site are either leaving or cutting back on their posts.
For the moment I am still holding out. I have actually taught some of these subjects, and I'm an archaeologist, so I guess I have a little more patience than some of the others.
And no, Darwin Central is more of a retreat from the anti-science attitudes than anything else. We have a lot of folks drop by, and some like what they see. As individual posters reach their limits here, or are banned--lately for some very unclear reasons--some migrate our way.
So, I guess in answer to your implied questions: Each poster is different, and reacts in different ways. Some can tolerate the increasing anti-science attitudes better than others. Some were banned for comments that are tolerated in the opposition. We can see which way the wind is blowing, but it gets discouraging after a while.
I'm going to hang on as long as I can, in spite of the turn for the worst here on FR. I may be able to pass on some of the things I have learned in literally a lifetime of studying. And there is always Darwin Central when I get too disgusted or finally get banned for not toeing the party line.