From Physics Today:
Evolution critics threaten US economy says Tyson
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in a lecture at the University of Arlington-Texas Tuesday night and took some time to wade into the evolution debate too.
Neil deGrasse Tyson talked up the need for more science funding For more than three hours Tyson addressed a packed auditorium as part of UTA's Maverick Speaker Series.
During the Q&A, an audience member asked Tyson about conservative members of the state Board of Education who want to teach the "weaknesses" of the theory of evolution in Texas high school classrooms.
Calling intelligent design theory a "philosophy of ignorance," he argued that a lack of appreciation for basic scienctific principles will hurt America's scientific output, which has been the largest economic engine in the country's history.
"If nonscience works its way into the science classroom, it marks...the beginning of the end of the economic strength this country has known," Tyson said.
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson in a lecture at the University of Arlington-Texas Tuesday night and took some time to wade into the evolution debate too.
Neil deGrasse Tyson talked up the need for more science funding For more than three hours Tyson addressed a packed auditorium as part of UTA's Maverick Speaker Series.
During the Q&A, an audience member asked Tyson about conservative members of the state Board of Education who want to teach the "weaknesses" of the theory of evolution in Texas high school classrooms.
Calling intelligent design theory a "philosophy of ignorance," he argued that a lack of appreciation for basic scienctific principles will hurt America's scientific output, which has been the largest economic engine in the country's history.
"If nonscience works its way into the science classroom, it marks...the beginning of the end of the economic strength this country has known," Tyson said.
None of us can afford to let ignorance and idiocy be preached as science in our public schools. The specter of international competition from China and India will make the SCIB boycott of New Orleans seem like just the first few drops of a Noachian flood.
posted by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams
