Few of us are scientists. But most intelligent people know what they don't know, and they trust science to help inform them.
That's why a new survey by the Pew Research Center is so disheartening. It surveyed the general public and then separately polled scientists on a range of issues. The disconnects are startling. For example, scientists broadly agree that genetically modified foods are safe, childhood vaccines should be required and human beings are causing most climate change. Regular folks are much less sure about these things. These are not esoteric issues; the realities affect day-to-day lives of every American.
But here's the thing: The scientists have, well, science on their side. Scientists have personal beliefs that span the political spectrum, but they all agree on the scientific method. They rigorously test their ideas and theories and if the facts don't support them, they dispassionately adjust their thinking. That's how Newton's concept of gravity gave way to Einstein's — and without incorporating his theory of relativity, GPS satellites wouldn't work, to take just one example. Most of us don't understand the science, but we literally trust our GPS to show us the way.
The march of science made possible flu shots, space shots and WiFi hot spots. Blame the current outbreak of measles and the failure to deal with rising oceans on the sad fact that too many of us either distrust science or simply don't want to hear what scientists are telling us.
"These are big and notable gaps," Lee Rainie, director of Pew's Internet, science and technology research, told the Associated Press. They are "pretty powerful indicators of the public and the scientific community seeing the world differently."
Remember the late, great Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan? He wasn't a scientist either, but he was thinking like one when he uttered his famous quote: "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts."
So, a suggestion. Look at these findings, and if scientists disagree with your opinions, check out why. For instance, two-thirds of scientists favor building more nuclear power plants. That does not seem like a particularly good idea. But reading their reasoning could change minds. After all, their thinking is backed by science.
Jim Verhulst is the editor of the Sunday Perspective section and a member of the Times editorial board.