This is what happens when our view of science is obtained from Hollywood

Six Italian geoscientists are being prosecuted for manslaughter for failing to predict an earthquake. Read the story here. This paragraph stands out:

 

A substantial portion of the public does not have sufficient grounding in basic sciences to understand the scientific information that is presented. This only widens the void between scientists and the public, forcing scientists to use intermediaries such as journalists or public relations personnel. And it also forces those media personnel to simplify concepts or ideas, often to the point where they are no longer strictly accurate. Somehow, whether intentionally or accidentally, this seems to be what happened in Italy.

 

This is true, as far as it goes. But the plain facts are that science is difficult, non-intuitive and not structured for the attention spans of young people raised on MTV reality-shows. When these same young adults enter the world of adults, which is to say and consequential world, their expectations are so off-kilter as to be delusional.

 

If you think I’m being unduly harsh, I have two words for you: “Global Warming”