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there's science as in "STEM" and there's science as in "trust the science". virtually everyone supports the former.
by b65e8bee43c2ed0 9mo ago
there's science as in "STEM" and there's science as in "trust the science".
virtually everyone supports the former.
- lotsofpulp 9mo agoIn my experience, it’s the opposite. Virtually everyone supports using data to make decisions, unless the data could harm them or their tribe. For example, requiring elaborate experiments and trials to help develop medicine so you or a loved one bear cancer? Sure. But if you can make money hawking berries to cure cancer? No data needed. If casting doubt on vaccines without data helps you feel superior? No problem. If it can help you win elections and get into a position of power? Even better.
- programjames 9mo agoNot really, there's been a pretty effective culture war saying, "STEM degrees are actually useless, you need to know how to have a human connection." Only around 25% of Bachelor's and Master's degrees are in STEM fields, though it shoots up to 65% of PhDs. It seems to be pointing towards most people not supporting STEM, and advocating for students to not go into STEM, despite having some of the most lucrative (in expected value) majors.
- eudamoniac 9mo agoSTEM is harder. 25% of undergrads seems like a reasonable guess of who would be capable of attaining a STEM degree without lowering standards.