I Wonder....

[renormalised (Carl)]

I was just thinking if the average "Joe Public" has any idea of the significance of what happened on this day, 40 years ago. Apart from a few soundbites that they may hear on the TV, I wonder if anyone today really knows what happened or even gives a damn. For most, it'll be just another day. What they probably only have a very passing thought on is that today, one of the greatest events in all of history (so far) occurred on that bright, roundish ball of rock they see floating in the sky most nights and days. Funny thing, most people don't even look up, these days. Most people are too blaise about it. Or even care to do so.

What I've found is that for most, looking through a telescope is nothing more than a sideshow attraction. Sure, it grabs their attention for a brief moment, but see most of them at a later stage and they've completely forgotten about the experience. Unless you prompt them about it, it escapes them. I've only ever found less than 5% of anyone will retain an interest in astronomy. I suppose that's good (and it is, at least it's something), but it just goes to show how insular people really are.

[BerrieK]

Carl I dont know if you remember a thread a while ago regarding how few women are into astronomy....the general overtone of the discussion was that different strokes for different folks. Some people are into cars, or clothes, or decorating houses, computers, art...or even astronomy or the universe that we exist in.....the list is not finite.

I think that the degree of someones insularity is probably a simple reflection of their life experience (combined of course with a whole gammut of sociological and psychological factors as well...okay not so simple)....so the different strokes for diffrent folks is an interaction of many influencing factors.

I also think that if more people took the time from their overstimuilated lives to look up and out the world would be a much better place.

Kerrie

[renormalised (Carl)]

I agree with the saying..."different strokes for different folks"... but what I was trying to get at was the complete lack of anything people show to new areas of knowledge or experience outside of their little worlds. You don't necessarily have to show a particular liking or in depth interest in a subject, but at least acknowledge that it's there. I know people who have never looked up at the night sky and going by one recent US survey, most don't even know how long it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun!!!!!. Some don't even realise that we orbit the Sun!!!!!. Most don't even realise the Sun is a star!!!!. Simple....less than primary school knowledge. I was listening to a recording of the ABC Science Show, and a professor who was on there said he met a guy who didn't even know what Apollo was!!!. And this is supposedly a reasonably well educated person living in a Western society. Except for the very elderly who have memory loss, or the very young, that is amazing to see that someone could be so ignorant of something like that. Almost as if they'd be living under a rock for most of their lives. Unfortunately, they're not the only one.

It's not so much a case of being overstimulated as it is of being "coached" to be brain dead. The media feeds them all the unadulterated trash that they can spin out and the education system that we have breeds a whole lot of dullards. Most teachers aren't really qualified to teach the subjects they do, especially in the sciences. They don't have enough training or experience. They can't really give kids the benefit of their knowledge because they've hardly got enough to practice with. That's why people leave school with little appreciation of anything to do with science, nature or most other things. That, plus the teachers, because of their lack of knowledge and experience, tend to be rather dull and boring. They have no enthusiasm for their subjects and that reflects in the way they teach and how the kids react to the teaching.

Sorry for rambling on there, but it's a bit of a sore point with me, the way kids and adults have lost the awe for even the simplest of things, these days. No interest, no imagination.

[Baddad (Marty)]

Hi Kerrie, Hi Carl,

Just not interested in that sort of stuff.

I have heard that so many times in my life. I was deeply interested in science related subjects. People around me bored me, as I bored them.

As I matured I broadened my interests or was it that I researched other subjects? Perhaps both. A minority of people, I find, have that strong desire to find out when, how and why do things work or happen. When I was a child, that enquiring mind has meant spankings to me for pulling apart the telephone or giving my sister a small electric shock from a bicycle generator.

These type of people often have good science related jobs. Stable lives and generally well adjusted.

Some people on the other hand find it difficult to comprehend scientific concepts. They lose interest, its all too hard. Leave school earlier work in lower paid occupations.

My point is: Its in the genes. Bright people make observations and need to explore. They have that ability to think. (Why is that rock so different to all the others. Must find out). A "dullard" just accepts it or is oblivious to the difference.

To add weight to my point: Its not limited to just adults. When two seven year old grandkids want to question you and discuss all you have to know about the birds or stars or the Moon. Then it is in them. Smart kids ask questions and have imagination. They have to know when, where, how or why.

Carl, You mention <5% retaining an interest in astronomy. I agree. That is about the ratio/number that psychologists say are very smart. Is there a link?

This is making my brain hurt. Whatever we discuss here won't change the world but it may make it easier to accept.

Cheers Marty

[avandonk]

When scientists are paid as much as footballers and actors the young will take NOTICE!

Bert

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by avandonk

When scientists are paid as much as footballers and actors the young will take NOTICE!

Bert

You're probably right there, Bert. Society has some weird priorities when it comes to who's worth the money they're paid and whom to pay.

[BerrieK]

Originally Posted by avandonk

When scientists are paid as much as footballers and actors the young will take NOTICE!

Bert

LOL!! Hmmn......my 7 year old son is uncoordinated and not very sporty BUT comments on the changing states (solid/liquid/gas) of things he encounters, and has noted that it has something to do with temperature...does this mean that he is destined to a happy but not financially profitable future? (of course financial renumeration isnt the be-all-and-end-all but it sure helps).

Kerrie

[renormalised (Carl)]

At least he won't be as maladjusted as most footballers and actors are. Maybe he'll invent something and make his fortune from that

[xnomad]

Some people could argue that knowing that the earth revolves around the sun won't change their life or help bring money into their home. If a guy isn't interested in astronomy but likes cars and can fix them then that's fine and it's probably of more value to society than if he is well read, is a constant student and doesn't contribute in anyway to society. Hey somebodys got to serve burgers at Maccas too. :-)

The whole basis of civilisation is that everyone has their role. People can't be expected to do every role the man who farms can't be the doctor too. The opposite of this is subsitence living which leaves no time for science and other developments. It does nevertheless surprise me how more and more people have a lack of general knowledge but it doesn't seem to be of any detriment to them.

At some social get-togethers I've got little to talk about, I can't talk about the footy or the latest reality television hit, if I started talking about astronomy I'd be standing alone in the corner after a while. It makes you wonder who the real losers are sometimes. Some of the most narrow minded, uninformed people I have met are my superiors at work, earning heaps of cash and all they've got is the 'gift of the gab' but are as thick as two short bricks.

[sjastro]

Originally Posted by renormalised

At least he won't be as maladjusted as most footballers and actors are. Maybe he'll invent something and make his fortune from that

Reminds me of a psychological survey conducted at Uni many years ago on post graduate students in Physical/Biological Sciences and Humanities versus a control group of high school educated people.

The Maths students were generally the smartest (yeah!) but were completely out of synch with the other disciplines and the control group when it came to a general psychological profile.

The Maths students were found to be predisposed to personality disorders.

It probably explains why I never did well at job interviews when personality tests were in vogue.

Steven

[renormalised (Carl)]

That maybe the case Steve, however who are the most maladjusted of all....or probably more to the point, the most stupid of the lot. Those with little or no common sense. You only have to read the news headlines or checkout the tabloids to see who that is