Darwin and unnatural disbelief
An international poll comes along showing that although Americans are fairly knowledgeable about Charles Darwin, they don't hold much truck with this whole theory-of-evolution business.
Some 71% of Americans know of Darwin and at least a little about his theory of natural selection, a number right up there with Great Britain, according to the poll of 10 countries conducted by the British Council, which describes itself as "the UK's international body for cultural relations." And if 71% seems sort of low, compare it with South Africa, where 73% had never even heard of Darwin.
But knowing isn't necessarily loving. Among those who are familiar with the author of "On the Origin of Species," only 41% of Americans agreed with the statement that "Enough scientific evidence exists to support Charles Darwin's theory of evolution." Where were the believers in evolution most likely to live? India, with 77%. And we wonder why that country is renowned for its good education, especially in the sciences--and why this country historically tests in the mediocre realm.
Photo by Darko Vojinovic/AP
No bobxxx the poll shows that 41% of Americans are idiots. I wish someone would show me some of this evidence of evolution that I'm always hearing about. Darwin spent 3 weeks on the Galopagos Islands and 25 years later wrote a book and evolutionist use it as their bible. It takes more faith to believe in evolution than it takes to believe in God. Darwin was a very intelligent man that was always looking at theories and thats all they are are theories. I always say if you want to get rich write a book on how to get rich. Meaning that you don't have to know how to get rich just write the book and people will make you rich buying the book.
Posted by: Steve | July 05, 2009 at 07:18 PM
I saw this piece on India and science education:
Posted by: Jason S. | July 02, 2009 at 09:03 PM
Some links for the post above. ON international tests
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programme_for_International_Student_Assessment
Top h1-B users.
http://www.businessweek.com/table/08/0305_h1b.htm
Click the company name to see where they are based and the makeup of their officers.
Posted by: Mitchell Young | July 02, 2009 at 05:56 PM
While we're fact checking, here is the wikipedia entry on international tests in reading, science, and math, from 2006. Indian doesn't place in the top 20 once.
India has an good PR campaign, aided by significant portions of the Desi community here, that makes us think that somehow they are these miracle workers in tech. The fact that 4 of the top H1-B bodyshops are Indian based and they really really like to hire their own countrymen might have something to do with this.
Posted by: Mitchell Young | July 02, 2009 at 05:53 PM
Among those who are familiar with the author of "On the Origin of Species," only 41% of Americans agreed with the statement that "Enough scientific evidence exists to support Charles Darwin's theory of evolution."
This poll shows beyond any doubt Americans are idiots.
Posted by: bobxxxx | July 02, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Hi. I clicked the British Council link, and there was an error and I couldn't get to the article.
I did find this from the Guardian. It says that 38% of people surveyed in India believe in evolution. U.S. is at 33%. 52% of Mexicans believe in evolution.
Are they using the same information?
Here's another from the British Council:
Now that, I do not believe. Harhar. Not funny.
Posted by: Jason S. | July 01, 2009 at 08:48 PM