Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson had choice words for the state of Florida Monday, saying he was “astonished” by Gov. Rick Scott’s administration’s alleged ban on using the words “climate change.”
Speaking as part of a lecture series in Sarasota, Florida and at a press conference before it, the renowned scientist and science communicator said that he thought that the U.S., as a country, was above using science as a political debate. Tyson also said voters held responsibility for electing lawmakers like Scott, which points to the need to better educate voters about issues like climate change.
“I don’t blame the politicians for a damn thing because we vote for the politicians,” he said. “I blame the electorate.”
Tyson has a point: a poll last year found that Americans are, in general, less concerned about climate change than people in many other parts of the world. And though most Americans believe climate change is happening, many don’t fully understand why.
Tyson also said that Florida officials should be worrying about what to do to prepare the state for the imminent threat of sea level rise, rather than restricting state workers from talking about climate change.
“Now we have a time where people are cherry picking science,” he said. “The science is not political. That’s like repealing gravity because you gained 10 pounds last week.”
Professor Tyson's point about Florida's voters being accountable is exactly right. And if they don't start to educate themselves, and allow their children to be educated, then the future of their state is in terrible jeopardy.
And while we're at it they should probably also be tested on the Constitution, basic math, and women's reproductive systems. Because many of them seem to have trouble with those subjects as well.
Maybe people should have to have learned something about how government works before they are allowed to vote. I'm all for bringing civics class back to the school curriculum. I know it can be a bit boring but it's some of the most important information a person has to have in order to live in a participatory system of government. Too many Americans have no idea how a law is made or what the three co-equal branches of government are or how they operate.
ReplyDeletePS I love Neil DeGrasse Tyson. I'd love to invite him to dinner on a clear night and ask him about our night sky.
Beaglemom
"Tyson has a point: a poll last year found that Americans are, in general, less concerned about climate change than people in many other parts of the world."
ReplyDelete-------------------------------------------------------
That is, in good part, due to the large number of Americans with minimal intelligence and education who believe the claptrap about American exceptionalism and how we are blessed by God who will look after us cuz 'Murka! Yeah! and so, like toddlers, we can irresponsibly do anything we damn well please without having to ever consider the consequences.
If you can't run for office unless you believe in God, why not other requirements: belief in climate change, gender equality, separation of church and state, etc.
ReplyDeleteWhen the electorate's world-view is fantasy-based, they elect fools to lead them.
ReplyDeleteFlorida... How Long Can You Tread Water?
ReplyDeleteOne of the main problems is that many politicians work to support people that financially support them (the politicians) with campaign contributions. The Koch brothers give major campaign contributions? The politicians support laws that help the Koch brothers. Removing this type of money from politics would go a long way in solving a lot of our problems.
ReplyDeleteIf Americans had to walk five or six miles a couple of times a day to haul enough water to drink, cook, and wash clothes, they'd believe in climate change. And that day is coming.
ReplyDeleteHow did we allow this to happen in the first place? We have kids being pushed through the system and somehow get to College without knowing the basics. My sister's a teacher and gave an assignment to write an essay in script (After five weeks teaching penmanship, mind you) Three quarters of the class raised their hands and asked "What is script?" She refused to answer and the parent patrol descended like a swarm of locusts. You can't teach that, well yes you can when it's part of the curriculum for "Creative Writing".
ReplyDeleteOT
ReplyDeleteThis is just beyond the pale.
http://crooksandliars.com/2015/03/pat-robertson-thinks-he-knows-why
Can someone tap this idiot's shoulder and tell him his time is up???