Why do some people resist science

[patchwork]

Ok while searching for some form of answer to the posts by tweefo about the Nigerian child witches I cam across this article looking at why people resist science etc.

It was pretty interesting so I thought Id share it

http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/bloom07/bloom07_index.html

[maydont]

Interesting article.  I think the big concern is people's attitude towards science.  Often I hear the following:

1. Untrustworthy (evil scientist myth)
2. Corrupt (big Pharma Conspiracies etc)
3. Dry (long arduous equations, chemical formulas and Latin names)
4. "One world-view" myth (The Postmodern view on Science)
5. Cold and unnatural (e.g. alt med's appeal to it being "natural")
And the worst myth of them all:
6. Arrogant, single-minded and intolerant of other's views (when it is in fact exactly the opposite)

I don't know where to start really with changing this world-view without a massive continuous PR campaign.
Obviously Flagship science works (e.g. Dinosaurs, Space Exploration, cool chemistry experiments), but it's got a long way to go.

[Anacoluthon64]

This article suggests a contributory factor to people’s disdain for science, perhaps even the deciding one.  In essence, as much as 80% of people are not capable intellectually of mustering sufficient abstract thought of the kind necessary for an appreciation of science.  Needless to say, this is a politically incorrect proposition, but nonetheless a plausible one.

'Luthon64