Here's what I've always suspected the primary reason for animosity towards science is: from the perspective of a non-scientist, science doesn't actually look an

Here's what I've always suspected the primary reason for animosity towards science is: from the perspective of a non-scientist, science doesn't actually look any different from a religion, or the latest fashion, or the snakeoil salesman. A professional scientist can examine a peer's paper and determine its quality. E.g. the signal to noise ratio, whether the math checks out, scope, etc. But the Average Joe doesn't know how to properly evaluate a scientific paper. So he has to take it on faith that what the high priest in the lab coat says is true. Approaching the unknown with apprehension is a perfectly natural reaction. This can be overcome through education. But learning takes time and energy. It's hard work. And as excited as I am about things like "Cosmos", I think a lot of people don't find it worth the trouble, because it's not immediately relevant. "Leave that science stuff to the scientists, I'm perfectly satisfied being able to drive my car without knowing how the Otto Cycle works."