Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!GACVAX1.BITNET!SCOTT From: SCOTT@GACVAX1.BITNET (Scott Hess) Newsgroups: sci.space Subject: Bored public Message-ID: Date: 4 Apr 89 02:58:00 GMT Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU Organization: The Internet Lines: 29 To you who wonder if its really the public bored with things, or if its the execs at NBC (fill in your favorite station here), where've you been! The main thrust of the masses today is away from knowledge of technology, and towards use of it. Else, why was everyone so freaked about Three Mile Island? There was such a small chance of explosion there that it was almost unworthy of talking about. Since nuclear is associated with bomb, tho, we have to live with it. I'm an undergrad right now, and I see it all the time (tendency away from technology). Most of my friends are in the sciences, but I'd be willing to say that those not in the sciences aren't too interested in them, in general. This is not to say things are black and white. Anything having to do with physics, computers, or math is viewed with distaste by many, many people. The fear of math is going to kill us. People think its great that we have birds flying, but they don't understand what is happening. I'd bet that most people couldn't name Newton's laws. They don't think its 'magic', but it is close enough that there is no difference. I'll admit, I don't understand biology, but I can follow the basics. Same with most other subjects. But most poly sci majors probably wouldn't get far in physics ... same with much of the social sciences. I guess mayhaps most of this doesn;t belong here, but I hope everybody reading thinks about how things are out there. One cannot really judge what everybody thinks of his area of work by listening to those he hangs around with the most. The people you hang with are those who have similar interests, and they will only enforce your own biases. Anyway, Scott Hess