Dr. Lenny's Response - Measurement

OuchIf you could teach the public a single scientific concept - what would it be?
ReadOne of the largest discontinuities that i have found from working in an impoverished rural community is that the science literate folks don't give the local population much credit for their 'school of hard knocks' knowledge base. This causes a counter disrespect for the 'elite' knowledge represented by science.
ReadThe public is readily confused by the fact that different methods and numbers are not comparable. All measurement techniques follow specific protocol to ensure reproducibility and reliability. So while scientists understand that apples are being compared to oranges, the public only hears what the public relations stream of the media allows it to hear. The context for debate is reduced to political terms.
ThisAs the protocols become more complex and simple obvious data is rejected in favor of high-tech, non-explicable nonsense data, science becomes another political voice. It is often seen as a weapon wielded by regulatory agencies to invoke economic penalty. Athletes and rock stars carry more value in the public issues debate. Where are the Paulings and the Einsteins - they are not onstage with Bono, and that's a loss for the public.