RE: Today 200,000 People Learned That Humans Have Walked On The Moon (The Importance of STEM Communication)
Sadly, it seems clear that STEM education is largely failing with respect to the general population. Around 90% of Americans believe in some kind of god-like supernatural being, despite there being no evidence of such a being. What's worse is the wide-spread distrust of science, largely because the general public doesn't understand how it works and because we have certain news outlets intentionally misleading viewers. Lately, I've seen something even more disturbing--a number of people I know seem to think that there are no facts--only opinion. Senator Patrick Moynihan is credited with saying "Everyone is entitled to his own facts, but not his own opinion." These days many have and adhere only to opinion, and then only if it supports their own opinions.
It is a scary development that we have to start trying to convince people that there are objective facts. I think we should start putting more of an emphasis on teaching the history of the scientific method in school, it could help people to make better decisions in areas like politics. Making it interesting and understandable for the average person is a little challenging, but doable
The religion thing is likely always going to be one of the stickiest belief due to close link to identity and culture. I used to be quite hard line with my atheism but have mellowed with age, if someone wants to make the world a better place I'm not overly fussed what they believe happens when they die. Quite a few of my colleagues are religions and they do some of the best science out of anyone I know. I find it a little bizarre but I can attested that it doesn't get in their way. So according to pew it looks like 90% believe in a higher power but belief in a specific god has been declining (millennials are killing god!) and those that have doubts is increasing.
As for the distrust and general science knowledge I have to say I'm not sure. There is certainly a strong narrative at the moment about the whole 'my opinion beat your facts' but i'd be interested if it shows in the data, I may look into this for a post some time. As you likely know, I'm usually an optimist on issues like this but willing to accept being wrong here.
I kinda agree with you. I suspect that people on average tend to be pessismistic and only see thenegative effects of STEM progress (pollution, thalidomide, large and impersonal technology).
I tend to be optimistic and suspect that things are slowly getting better.
In high income countries GMO is a massive boogiemonster, which I find a real shame as has such potential for the feeding the rest of the world. Would be silly if these belief got in the way of that.