A New York Times science-section interview last week showcases Carolyn Porco [1], a classmate of mine at Caltech in the 1970s. She's articulate and thoughtful. The conversation concludes with remarks about scientific literacy:

"To my mind," Dr. Porco said, "most people go through life recoiling from its best parts. They miss the enrichment that just a basic knowledge of the physical world can bring to the most ordinary experiences. It's like there's a pulsating, hidden world, governed by ancient laws and principles, underlying everything around us—from the movements of electrical charges to the motions of the planets—and most people are completely unaware of it.

"To me, that's a shame."

(cf. KnowHowAndFearNot (1999-11-19), TechnicalMinded (2003-07-18), CloseToTheMachine (2004-05-06), Rules of Engagement (2008-09-25), ...) - ^z - 2009-09-28