Only Six Percent Of Scientists Are Republicans: Pew Poll

[Coakley]

"Only Six Percent Of Scientists Are Republicans: Pew Poll"


http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1549


"An overwhelming majority of scientists say they have heard a lot (55%) or a little (30%) about claims that the Bush administration did not allow government scientists to report findings that contradicted administration policy."

When Republican politicians insist upon micromanaging research, insist the Earth is only 6000 years old, and refuse to believe the results of scientific studies, no wonder this is the case.

[lunchlady]

Wow, I didn't realize the scientific community was so Dem-heavy. Guess it makes sense though. The Reagan and Bush administrations were both pretty unfriendly to research they didn't like, and devalued science and education in general IMO.

Some despots, like Pol Pot and Mao, have promoted killing anyone with any education. Even wearing glasses became dangerous. This also happened in Bangladesh. The killers' reasoning was that people who know how to think are a threat to a totalitarian regime, and they're right.

The far right in this country needs to be kept in check. They aren't yet positioned to physically wipe out intellectuals but they certainly have an anti-intellectual bent. They talk about "elitists" with disdain and deliberately rile up the Joe Six-Packs against progressive types. Educated discussion is viewed as wimpy, flip-floppy, quiche-eating, pointless. Not nearly as fun as wearing the T-shirt that says "Next stop Tehran." Ha ha. Don't think, just adopt a slogan and keep smiling.

This is one of the things I find the most disturbing about the so-called leadership of the GOP.

[ortiga]

"Only Six Percent Of Scientists Are Republicans: Pew Poll"


http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1549


"An overwhelming majority of scientists say they have heard a lot (55%) or a little (30%) about claims that the Bush administration did not allow government scientists to report findings that contradicted administration policy."

When Republican politicians insist upon micromanaging research, insist the Earth is only 6000 years old, and refuse to believe the results of scientific studies, no wonder this is the case.

No wonder what came out on the republican side recently (Palin, McCain, and/or Jindal)...........humans not contributing to global warming, making fun of fruit flies, mocking grizzly bear research, ridiculing volcano-explosion warning systems, suing the federal government to prevent protection of polar bears and beluga whales and all the rest of the anti-environmental protection agenda.

[Brentwood]

It is just unfathomable that some people cannot grasp facts. At work today, I had a discussion with a co-worker who believes the world is 6000 yrs old, thinks evolution is false, believes men are to command women, and they are destined by g-d to be subservient to men. Thinks women should never be leaders. Thinks that men will rule women in heaven. Thinks climate change is a normal part of the world cycle and the scientists are lying for political reasons. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!

IMO, someone like this has their beliefs set in stone and cannot recognize a fact if it smacked them in the face. They would just brush it off and step over it and move on, embracing their bubble thinking forever.

[LisaM22]

It is just unfathomable that some people cannot grasp facts. At work today, I had a discussion with a co-worker who believes the world is 6000 yrs old, thinks evolution is false, believes men are to command women, and they are destined by g-d to be subservient to men. Thinks women should never be leaders. Thinks that men will rule women in heaven. Thinks climate change is a normal part of the world cycle and the scientists are lying for political reasons. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!

IMO, someone like this has their beliefs set in stone and cannot recognize a fact if it smacked them in the face. They would just brush it off and step over it and move on, embracing their bubble thinking forever.

this video on youtube talks about the bubble and shows how some faiths think their myths are believable while think myths outside their bubble are not, if you in a bubble, it's hard to separate fact from fiction for some

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVuw1wEuaAQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fgodisimaginary.com%2Fvideo7.htm&feature=player_embedded

[Brentwood]

this video on youtube talks about the bubble and shows how some faiths think their myths are believable while think myths outside their bubble are not, if you in a bubble, it's hard to separate fact from fiction for some

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVuw1wEuaAQ&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fgodisimaginary.com%2Fvideo7.htm&feature=player_embedded

I watched your link. I see much truth in it. However, I do believe in spirituality, not the organized faiths.

[daniel green]

I still find it stunning that only 6% of scientists are GOP. Very telling.

[lunchlady]

what other scientists are there? Corporation scientists?

That's a very good question. When you look at the funding for academic research you'll see that a big chunk comes from the government, specifically the Dept. of Defense. Schools and scientists who are willing and able to do research useful to weapons research thrive and build beautiful new buildings.
The other research is also largely government funded, but of course some comes from corporations and other places also. There are also scientists who work for corporations, but the research divisions in those places are generally shrinking and have been for years.

Scientists are highly educated, but sometimes very narrow in their interests. To be successful they usually focus on one small thing and make a big deal out of it, and the grant process is a necessary part of their research because that's where the big money comes from. Fortunately those grant proposals are usually evaluated by other scientists, not politicians. Politicians occasionally make fun of research grants for political gain with anti-tax anti-"elitists" types, but a lot of good basic research gets funded anyway.

I've met some extremely politically conservative scientists, but would say that even the the majority of those people are rational when it comes to things like evolution, and progressive in the sense of wanting science to be put to good use to improve human life and scientific progress.
They are also nearly 100% prochoice, either being female or having seen the benefit of having female colleagues and their need to plan their lives without being derailed by birth control failure at the wrong moment in their lives. I know one antichoice couple, both scientists, who had an unplanned third baby. They looked very stressed and unhappy and her career came to a standstill for years. She is now getting back to being more productive but she doesn't seem to talk about her antichoice views anymore.

[ABC]

I can hardly wait to see the study that shows that the majority of second basemen have heard claims that Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame.

Which would be of equal value, IMO.

:smile:

Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame, absolutly. Today would not be to soon. Keeping him out is an act of spite and someday Justice will prevail and Pete will be there, in his right place as one of the greatest ball players ever. I hope Pete gets to see it and be part of the Cermonies. :rose::rose:

[ABC]

That's a very good question. When you look at the funding for academic research you'll see that a big chunk comes from the government, specifically the Dept. of Defense. Schools and scientists who are willing and able to do research useful to weapons research thrive and build beautiful new buildings.
The other research is also largely government funded, but of course some comes from corporations and other places also. There are also scientists who work for corporations, but the research divisions in those places are generally shrinking and have been for years.

Scientists are highly educated, but sometimes very narrow in their interests. To be successful they usually focus on one small thing and make a big deal out of it, and the grant process is a necessary part of their research because that's where the big money comes from. Fortunately those grant proposals are usually evaluated by other scientists, not politicians. Politicians occasionally make fun of research grants for political gain with anti-tax anti-"elitists" types, but a lot of good basic research gets funded anyway.

I've met some extremely politically conservative scientists, but would say that even the the majority of those people are rational when it comes to things like evolution, and progressive in the sense of wanting science to be put to good use to improve human life and scientific progress.
They are also nearly 100% prochoice, either being female or having seen the benefit of having female colleagues and their need to plan their lives without being derailed by birth control failure at the wrong moment in their lives. I know one antichoice couple, both scientists, who had an unplanned third baby. They looked very stressed and unhappy and her career came to a standstill for years. She is now getting back to being more productive but she doesn't seem to talk about her antichoice views anymore.
Babies are a blessing. Careers come and go, rise and fall but babies and children bring happiness forever.

[Barbara2]

This doesn't speak to the statistic one way or another but the comments from actual scientists are very interesting.

http://www.the-scientist.com/community/posts/list/299.page

[ABC]

Thank God it's only 6%, LMAO!!

I have no doubt that that 6% (and where does this figure come from anyway?) is the most productive like the 1% of the population pays the most taxes and actually support the Government pay schemes. IMOO

[Brentwood]

"Only Six Percent Of Scientists Are Republicans: Pew Poll"


http://people-press.org/report/?pageid=1549


"An overwhelming majority of scientists say they have heard a lot (55%) or a little (30%) about claims that the Bush administration did not allow government scientists to report findings that contradicted administration policy."

When Republican politicians insist upon micromanaging research, insist the Earth is only 6000 years old, and refuse to believe the results of scientific studies, no wonder this is the case.

The way things are going, it will soon be 5%, 4%, 3, 2, 1, 0.

[crocdog1]

Thank God it's only 6%, LMAO!!

I'm very surprised that it is that high.

Do you realize this means that 6% of the science community believe that the earth was formed in 6,000 years! Unbelievable!!!!!!!

[FurthurBB]

I'm very surprised that it is that high.

Do you realize this means that 6% of the science community believe that the earth was formed in 6,000 years! Unbelievable!!!!!!!

What? There is no logical path from one thought to the other in this statement. Sorry. IMO

[theal3]

Well, going into serious science and mathematics means your carreer is likely to end up in the work for universtities, research facilities, the government, often getting masters or doctorates etc and not like to be "rich," but secure, so IMHO the GOP doesn't steer their sons and daughters into those types of career path,more like law, medical, businesses. That may account for the low number.