Americans for generations have fretted over the relationship between the military and civilian society, over how the one institution fits within the other, how the broader population receives and perceives its soldiers. But as the U.S. approaches the 10th anniversary of the launch of the war in Afghanistan this week, this much is novel: The longest war in U.S. history is being fought by the smallest percentage of its population. The resulting implications — which Jeff Shear touched on for Miller-McCune.com earlier this year — are unsettling. As these wars have moved off of the front ... Read More
Survey: Science Just One Ingredient of Opinion Cocktail
July 9, 2009 • By • Leave a Comment
The public has a generally positive view of American science and scientists — but not always a need for the evidence those scientists unearth, according to a Pew Research Center study released Thursday and conducted in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The survey polled both AAAS members and the general public and found several yawning gaps between them. Eighty-seven percent of scientists say humans and other living beings have evolved over time through natural selection; only 32 percent of the public agrees. Eighty-four percent of scientists say ... Read More
