We’ve Reached the Tipping Point — Too Few People Understand Basic Science

Let’s Change That, Okay?

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Covid-19, Climate Change, or the wisdom of choosing Doctor Google as your PHP, take your pick. Americans argue about everything, these days, and we feel more divided than ever. How serious our division truly is depends on a look at the statistics — and that involves understanding a little about statistics — which we are ill-equipped to do. So, we fight, we argue, and we take firm sides on issues we know nothing about. And, FYI, Fox “News” is not a reputable source of facts. If you’re looking for “alternative facts,” then maybe … Cue the trolls.

Let’s take a look at some important basic definitions. Where possible, I’ve included links to more in-depth discussions, from reputable sources. Go ahead and click those links, leap down the rabbit-hole. It’s worth it.

We often get very confused by the simple word “cause,” when the more relevant term Americans need to learn is the word “correlation.” And, there’s a big difference. For our purposes, Google Dictionary lists cause as a verb, which means to make something happen; synonyms are to bring about, or give rise to.

Examples include, “This disease causes a loss of mobility.” Or, “Holding one’s finger in an open flame causes tissue damage.”