Unbelievable!

I am not in the least bit surprised by this result. I think you would get a similar or worse result in most western countries. The level of knowledge some people have pertaining to astronomy is quite shocking. What's most disappointing is how the education system, in this country at least, places such little emphasis on astronomy.

Yes that is pretty incredible but I think that question would have been quite fair, and the result equally shocking, even as a general knowledge question.

To say it's deplorable that people are so ignorant of Astronomy or of Science understates the level of ignorance displayed by 56% of the audience.

I would be very confident that if I asked my 3 children (10 to 16 Years old) this question, more than 56% of them would get it right. :!:

I would also hope that they are not exceptional in that regard and that more than 56% of any (modern) national population would also know the answer.

Vraiment incroyable!

Is the world a) flat b) round.

So Al, what's the answer? Surely b is incorrect?

c) roundish

Its really down to the way we are educated. A friend of mine was over at mine a few months back. I was watching a documentary about the human life cycle. there were some flashy CGI scenes of cells going through meitosis of cells. my friend had an epiphany and said "you mean we are made up of millions of these cells?!!!"

I was stunned they didnt know this. i thought it basic knowledge, stuff i learned from a kids encyclopedia when i was 7 or 8. In retrospect though as the person didnt do biology in school ( and prob didnt listen in basic science in national school!), never had much of an interest in schence and thus were simply were not aware of this fact. He then heard DNA mentioned, and as he had heard this word before ( most likely in a newspaper or something) a few dots connected and he learned something!

he's by no means dim, but its just that never having an interest in it caused him never to investigate or learn about it, and thus he was oblivious to these basic facts.

Also, only a few weeks ago, my girlfriend was astonished to learn that everything is made of atoms, after I explained what an atom was! this also shocked me but again, she didnt take science subjects in school.

its funny what some people count as trivial, others are completely unaware of. but likewise i didnt take any languages at school and am useless at them, sometimes even being pretty bad at english! what some would call basic maths would baffle me also.

perhaps its a sign that schools need to make changes. some people might not like science, but i think an understanding of some of its basic concepts and discoveries are essential for everyone.

Some people might not like science, but i think an understanding of some of its basic concepts and discoveries are essential for everyone.

I think this is the key. I've also been observing, with horror, the spread of anti-science creationism across the western world. I have nothing against creationism if that floats your boat - it's when it becomes anti-science creationism that I have a problem.

The ways the creationists exploit lack of understanding, and logical fallacies, to spread their arguments and anti-science and anti-scientist agenda is what is most disturbing.

We live in a complex world. Education needs to step up to the plate and prepare people for it.

world?, what world?, we all "exist" in someone else's virtual reality simulation.