2002-Jun-16, 01:23 AM
I discovered that our beloved http://www.badastronomy.com is actually mentioned in "Science and Engineering Indicators - 2002".
Itīs in Chapter 7, in the section called "Relationships Between Science and Pseudoscience":
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm#c7s5l2
Some quotes:
"Is Belief in Pseudoscience Harmful?
Concerns have been raised, especially in the science community, about widespread belief in pseudoscientific phenomena.[52]
Scientists and others believe that the media, and in particular, the entertainment industry, may be at least partially responsible for the large numbers of people who believe in astrology, ESP, alien abductions, and other forms of pseudoscience.[53] Because not everyone who watches shows with pseudoscientific themes perceives such fare as merely entertaining fiction, there is concern that the unchallenged manner in which some mainstream media portray pseudoscientific phenomena is exacerbating the problem and contributing to the public's scientific illiteracy.[54] Belief in pseudoscience may indicate a lack of critical thinking skills (Maienschein et al., 1999)."
.... and then comes the part, when http://www.badastronomy.com is mentioned:
"How Are Policymakers and Scientists Confronting Public Belief in Pseudoscience?
Members of the science policymaking community concerned about scientific literacy among the general public tend to focus on improving the quality of formal science and mathematics education, usually at the precollege level, and the communication of science-related information to adults, for example, media coverage of topical issues such as biotechnology and global warming. Special committees at both the NSF and the National Academy of Sciences have been studying how to improve the latter. Several reports have been issued (National Science Board 2000). All of these endeavors seem to be directed at how to increase media coverage of science. However, none of the reports addresses the subject of miscommunication of science by the media. Most of this miscommunication involved the promotion of pseudoscience and the inaccurate portrayal of the scientific process.
A recent example of this miscommunication was the purported documentary, shown on the Fox Network, "Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon?"[56] Astronomers and other members of the scientific community were highly critical of the way science (and everything else) was portrayed on the show.[57] However, the program was so popular with the public it was repeated twice within a six-month period.[58]"
Note 56, 57 and 58 reads as follows:
"[56] The program first aired on February 15, 2001, and was repeated on March 21, 2001.
[57] A comprehensive critique of this program can be found at http://www.badastronomy.com
[58] A 1999 Gallup poll showed that about 6 percent of Americans have doubts about the moon landing; the Fox show claimed the number is 20 percent."
The URL for the above is, as previously mentioned:
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm#c7s5l2
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Cyberspaced on 2002-06-15 21:41 ]</font>
Itīs in Chapter 7, in the section called "Relationships Between Science and Pseudoscience":
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm#c7s5l2
Some quotes:
"Is Belief in Pseudoscience Harmful?
Concerns have been raised, especially in the science community, about widespread belief in pseudoscientific phenomena.[52]
Scientists and others believe that the media, and in particular, the entertainment industry, may be at least partially responsible for the large numbers of people who believe in astrology, ESP, alien abductions, and other forms of pseudoscience.[53] Because not everyone who watches shows with pseudoscientific themes perceives such fare as merely entertaining fiction, there is concern that the unchallenged manner in which some mainstream media portray pseudoscientific phenomena is exacerbating the problem and contributing to the public's scientific illiteracy.[54] Belief in pseudoscience may indicate a lack of critical thinking skills (Maienschein et al., 1999)."
.... and then comes the part, when http://www.badastronomy.com is mentioned:
"How Are Policymakers and Scientists Confronting Public Belief in Pseudoscience?
Members of the science policymaking community concerned about scientific literacy among the general public tend to focus on improving the quality of formal science and mathematics education, usually at the precollege level, and the communication of science-related information to adults, for example, media coverage of topical issues such as biotechnology and global warming. Special committees at both the NSF and the National Academy of Sciences have been studying how to improve the latter. Several reports have been issued (National Science Board 2000). All of these endeavors seem to be directed at how to increase media coverage of science. However, none of the reports addresses the subject of miscommunication of science by the media. Most of this miscommunication involved the promotion of pseudoscience and the inaccurate portrayal of the scientific process.
A recent example of this miscommunication was the purported documentary, shown on the Fox Network, "Conspiracy Theory: Did We Land on the Moon?"[56] Astronomers and other members of the scientific community were highly critical of the way science (and everything else) was portrayed on the show.[57] However, the program was so popular with the public it was repeated twice within a six-month period.[58]"
Note 56, 57 and 58 reads as follows:
"[56] The program first aired on February 15, 2001, and was repeated on March 21, 2001.
[57] A comprehensive critique of this program can be found at http://www.badastronomy.com
[58] A 1999 Gallup poll showed that about 6 percent of Americans have doubts about the moon landing; the Fox show claimed the number is 20 percent."
The URL for the above is, as previously mentioned:
http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind02/c7/c7s5.htm#c7s5l2
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Cyberspaced on 2002-06-15 21:41 ]</font>