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RandySF

(85,951 posts) Mon Apr 21, 2014, 07:31 PM Apr 2014

New poll proves that Stupid won the war for American minds. [View all]

Americans have little doubt about the scientific evidence that smoking can cause cancer. However, a bigger portion of Americans still the question some of the basic concepts of modern science, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll.

In the survey, with a representative sample of 1,012 U.S. adults age 18 or older, respondents were asked to rate their confidence in several statements about science and medicine.

What the survey revealed was surprising. Overall, Americans show more skepticism than confidence in the scientific concept that a Big Bang created the universe 13.8 billion years ago.

There was also considerable doubt about the science behind global warming and the age of the Earth.

The most broadly accepted scientific statement was that smoking causes cancer, with a whopping 82 percent of respondents saying they were extremely or very confident that it did.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-big-bang-evolution-ap-poll/

73 replies

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New poll proves that Stupid won the war for American minds. [View all] RandySF Apr 2014 OP

big bang, age of the earth Niceguy1 Apr 2014 #1

Wrong BillZBubb Apr 2014 #2

Uh... actually they are jimlup Apr 2014 #4

they are theories Niceguy1 Apr 2014 #14

You apparently don't understand what a theory is. Spider Jerusalem Apr 2014 #19

Gravity is only a theory but don't test it by stepping out a tenth story window. nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2014 #21

Gravity is a physical law Art_from_Ark Apr 2014 #31

No though we sometimes call it a "law" jimlup Apr 2014 #36

"gravity" is both a law and a theory. DireStrike Apr 2014 #38

I have experienced gravity. Some of the other stuff, not so much. razorman Apr 2014 #55

You have no understanding of science, else you wouldn't have made that statement. nt DisgustipatedinCA Apr 2014 #25

I saw a very good posting about this on HuffPuff seabeckind Apr 2014 #26

Your computer is currently operating bobalew Apr 2014 #27

Gravity is also a theory. RoccoR5955 Apr 2014 #40

So Is E=(MC)2 Just A Theory? DallasNE Apr 2014 #46

Yes, both are just theories and both are just highly educated guesses. Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2014 #60

Here Is A Simple Test DallasNE Apr 2014 #66

Your "Simple Test" fails because its reactions are not equal to the action. Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2014 #67

Wrong, they are pretty much settled science nadinbrzezinski Apr 2014 #5

B.S. Arugula Latte Apr 2014 #6

Here's the thing ... Auggie Apr 2014 #8

Science is never "settled"...it's an ongoing process deutsey Apr 2014 #10

That's just a lie. Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #20

The age of the Earth is pretty damned well understood. Maedhros Apr 2014 #61

We could wake up one day and do that The2ndWheel Apr 2014 #70

Epistemological nihilism is great for philosophy seminars, but not so great for practical use. Maedhros Apr 2014 #71

Ken Kesey and George Carlin billhicks76 Apr 2014 #3

Thats a good one Strelnikov_ Apr 2014 #16

That quote is not quite accurate Art_from_Ark Apr 2014 #37

Would it be different ? billhicks76 Apr 2014 #39

people don't come in units of 100. cthulu2016 Apr 2014 #41

No, the average person has average intelligence cpwm17 Apr 2014 #58

Ignorance is strength, after all. n/t deutsey Apr 2014 #7

The heart of the scieentific method is skeptism and asking questions Harmony Blue Apr 2014 #9

With that said, Curmudgeoness Apr 2014 #12

Oh nonsense... seabeckind Apr 2014 #17

That's just a lie. Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #18

It is not settled Harmony Blue Apr 2014 #33

Well it ain't "hotly contested." DirkGently Apr 2014 #56

Last night Neil DeGrasse Tyson, on Cosmos, The Clean Room, explained how scientist DhhD Apr 2014 #11

Thought it was a great episode. DirkGently Apr 2014 #54

I thought that was an excellent episode, too Rhiannon12866 Apr 2014 #62

We measure global warming. We can only speculate about the big bang. McCamy Taylor Apr 2014 #13

Actually we Measure the big bang. We map the cosmic microwave background complete w vectors. nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2014 #23

I think we measure the results of a Big Bang. McCamy Taylor Apr 2014 #47

Of course. Just like we measure the results of gravity, i.e. its pull on things. nt Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2014 #48

BUt we can design experiements to test gravity. Change variables and watch an effect. McCamy Taylor Apr 2014 #57

We make predictions about what we will discovery. Recent news ... Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2014 #59

The Big Bang has been proven Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #29

The quantum singularity explanation for exboyfil Apr 2014 #64

Peak carbon output isn't going to matter Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #65

There is physical evidence for the big bang. DireStrike Apr 2014 #30

The big bang is more certain than predictions of global climate change. cthulu2016 Apr 2014 #42

Don't know what happened in the last 30 years seabeckind Apr 2014 #15

it's getting like a twilight zone episode ! lunasun Apr 2014 #28

Wait, what? If you KNOW your faith is true, then it's... not... faith. Beartracks Apr 2014 #45

"We know the Bible is true by faith.� some say.... lunasun Apr 2014 #51

Humans are extremely susceptable to repetition Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #22

I think the question on "natural selection" is poor. Stuart G Apr 2014 #24

A perfect illustration of why "belief" is not a path to truth DireStrike Apr 2014 #32

It's a test Bernardo de La Paz Apr 2014 #50

I like how it never occurs to them that a god that would do that is an asshole DireStrike Apr 2014 #53

God IS an asshole Prophet 451 Apr 2014 #63

well read it and weep for our nation lunasun Apr 2014 #34

Well, I wasn't around on 10/23/4004 BC. How am I supposed to know that was Day #1? Beartracks Apr 2014 #49

that IS their answer too ! see post 28 lunasun Apr 2014 #52

Not sure about the Big Bang... deathrind Apr 2014 #35

Much as... I'm not sure about the existence of Saturn's third moon, since I've never been there. LanternWaste Apr 2014 #69

Fair enough. deathrind Apr 2014 #72

10-23-4004 BC. the end result of a calculation... ablevins Apr 2014 #43

i just dont trust polls anymore from anyone MFM008 Apr 2014 #44

CBS is a propaganda network in business to sell predatory corporation's products Corruption Inc Apr 2014 #68

See with much things... Xyzse Apr 2014 #73