Is anyone else fascinated by the lack of astronomy knowledge out there?

Question

I mean the basic stuff. Some of the questions suggest that people do not realise that the Earth turns on its axis, rather than all those stars and the sun whizzing round us every day.

Am I alone in wondering why people do not know things like what causes the phases of the moon, or that the sun is a star and the stars are suns? Some asked where do the stars go during the day, for heaven's sake. That's not even knowledge - haven't these people seen the stars fade at twilight. jeez, what are these people doing with themselves?

I am attracted to this site more for the really really infantile questions rather than all the good ones.

I think its similar to why I watch the auditions for American Idol rather than the later rounds. I can't believe all those people who have no idea how bad they sound.

Answer 1

I know how you feel. Do the schools not teach this stuff any more? I haven't been out of school long and i had to learn it.

I sometimes have to wonder if there are still people out there that think the world is flat, and the sun is a big lump of burning coal that goes around it.

Answer 2

You're not alone in wondering how so many people can be so ignorant of the basic things around them. You'll find the same kind of ignorance in the other categories as well, simple things like basic knowledge of the world or the body.

I think the problem is that kids today have so much given to them (entertainment, material things) that they don't have any incentive to learn anything that doesn't interest them directly.
If it doesn't have anything to do with the current music star or athlete, it just doesn't have any appeal.
Just look at how bad they are at spelling and grammar, and that is just part of it. I know some of that is just laziness, but its just the tip of the iceberg - so much more is hidden underneath.

When I was in my teens I LOVED just taking an encyclopedia volume and reading it, for the pure joy of learning something new.
Kids today don't have that - their parents aren't home to teach them the fundamental skills of learning how to learn, their friends don't care, and schools don't have the resources to teach this either.

Sad to think, these ignorant people will one day run the world - God, then where will we be?

Answer 3

it is rather useful to re-think of this. Their became very various sunshine in the previous stars have been shaped. Scientists call it the "massive Bang". It happened nicely in the previous stars and galaxies shaped. subsequently, vs 3 & 5 & 14-19 are fullyyt scientific. additionally, in verses 9-13, the planets shaped around a similar time that the sunlight did. finally, the "third day...4th day... at the instant are not literal 24 hour sessions of time IMO, yet undisclosed sessions of time. The creation account is extremely symbolic - it is not a technology textbook neither is it an astronomy textbook. inspite of the incontrovertible fact that, people who understand the latter can see how amazingly precise the Genesis account is, in view that concepts like massive call formation, the massive bang, etc weren't rather favourite via technology until extremely recently.

Answer 4

Sure amazes me. One of my favorite sites is APOD. Wonder how many of these folks' brains would explode just reading one daily caption? Among my prized possessions is an honorable mention certificate for having submitted the name "Chandra" for the AXAF Observatory. Can't imagine not being fascinated by astronomy. But one person above did make a good point. I think a lot of kids out there have never been taught how to learn or that learning is the most important thing in life and that you should learn something new every day. To cease learning is to die intellectually...

Answer 5

U have to start somewhere, knowledge is not inherited (either is the ability to speel)lol.
U have to start by asking the right questions and then one day

MAYBE they be smart enough to answer silly questions

Answer 6

Heh, I'm with you. It blows my mind.

"Is there gravity on the moon?"
"if the earth stopped spinning would there be no gravity?"
"What are the planets in the solar system?"

Unbelieveable

If they don't know, one second on wikipedia would tell them.

Answer 7

I agree. I am constantly amazed every single day at the stupidity of the general public.

It's depressing.....:(

Answer 8

Well don't keep me in suspense, where DO the stars go in the daytime???

Answer 9

just like akways been the case

most people are incredibly dumb

americans of course even more soo:)

Answer 10

definetely