RESPECTFUL INSOLENCE

"A statement of fact cannot be insolent." The miscellaneous ramblings of a surgeon/scientist on medicine, quackery, science, and pseudoscience (and anything else that interests him).

Biology Evolution Intelligent design/creationism Politics Science Skepticism/critical thinking

How much science matters to the average American?

Post author By Orac
Post date November 29, 2007
59 Comments on How much science matters to the average American?

Heard on the radio this morning, a commenter responding to a radio talk show host’s pointing out to him that Mike Huckabee doesn’t accept evolution as valid. This is as close as I can remember what he said, but the gist is correct:

We disagree on that. But not believing in evolution is something I can overlook. It’s not that important. It’s not as though he’ll have stormtroopers knocking down my door because of it.

Maybe not, but if elected Huckabee would have a huge say over federal educational and biological research policy and funding. Being a creationist, as Mike Huckabee is, to me is an indication of a huge lack of understanding of even the most basic principles of science. Worse, though, and more relevant to the Presidency, it indicates an even larger hole in his critical thinking skills–so much so that it’s pretty close to an automatic disqualification for the Presidency. Basically, to me belief in creationism of any stripe is an indication that a candidate is too likely for my taste to choose his religion and ideology over science and objective facts whenever the there is a conflict between them. We’ve had far more than enough of that already; we don’t need any more.

But, then, what do I know? I’m just a physician and a scientist.

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By Orac

Orac is the nom de blog of a humble surgeon/scientist who has an ego just big enough to delude himself that someone, somewhere might actually give a rodent's posterior about his copious verbal meanderings, but just barely small enough to admit to himself that few probably will. That surgeon is otherwise known as David Gorski.

That this particular surgeon has chosen his nom de blog based on a rather cranky and arrogant computer shaped like a clear box of blinking lights that he originally encountered when he became a fan of a 35 year old British SF television show whose special effects were renowned for their BBC/Doctor Who-style low budget look, but whose stories nonetheless resulted in some of the best, most innovative science fiction ever televised, should tell you nearly all that you need to know about Orac. (That, and the length of the preceding sentence.)

DISCLAIMER:: The various written meanderings here are the opinions of Orac and Orac alone, written on his own time. They should never be construed as representing the opinions of any other person or entity, especially Orac's cancer center, department of surgery, medical school, or university. Also note that Orac is nonpartisan; he is more than willing to criticize the statements of anyone, regardless of of political leanings, if that anyone advocates pseudoscience or quackery. Finally, medical commentary is not to be construed in any way as medical advice.

To contact Orac: [email protected]

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