Britain's Scientific Illiteracy

Summary: 

I read a review article by the Guardian journalist Nick Cohen about Mark Henderson’s ‘Geek Manifesto’. According to Mark Henderson, we need to use the experimental methods of science for various aspects of society and politics.  Nick Cohen sees in this book a political program for British scepticism for it warns for scientific illiteracy. Sixth graders should at least take one science subject and politicians should read the book.  Science provides the means of testing policies before implementing them. Alternative healthcare is attacked and greens are gently scolded, but religion is not provoked. There is much to be admired, but the book has a little bit of cowardice. 

Commentary: 

Using scientific methodology for testing policy seems such a logical thing to do, but it does not hold up in practice.  Politicians are in fact supported by governmental institutes where scientists work, but most scientists are by their very nature not inclined to become politicians. Most  politicians have a background in business. I totally agree with setting the rule for sixth graders to take at least one science subject. Taking it even further and make science a part of the compulsory program at primary and secondary school, might even be the solution to scientific illiteracy. Go geeks!

The information was retrieved on May 25^th 2012 from the Guardian news website http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/may/25/geek-manifesto-mark-henderson-review
review article  ‘ The Geek Manifesto by Mark Henderson’