Do politicians in your state rely on comic-book science?

Question

A lot of legislation in California over the past several years, but particularly the last four is based on comic-book science. That is it is fantasy "science" below the Jr. High School level or worse. Like nor knowing the difference between a change of state and a chemical reaction. One law actually defines the sublimation of "dry ice" as a chemical reaction.

I guess we shouldn't be surprised what with having a cartoon for a governor and all.

Answer 1

Have you noticed that most people are NOT 'smarter than a 5th grader'?

Most people think "math is too hard" and "science is too hard". Yet, these same people are 'experts' on global warming, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.

Ralph Waldo Emerson may have said it best: "The hardest thing for a man to do is to ... think!"

Answer 2

You should see the recent history of Kansas state science curricula. :( Google it.

But could you give actual citations for the California curricula to support your claim? Use the scientific method to persuade the rest of us Californians :)

It's been a while since I finished my degree minoring in physics at a top university, but at the quantum level, ottomh, wht is really the difference between a change of state and a chemical reaction anyway? Both involve changes in electron orbital levels among molecules in some confined space, right? I don't have my old physics textbooks, but it seems I would write the quantum equations the same way - only in one case all the molecules are the same, and in one case they are not.

But maybe I forgot something? Email please with citation and correction :)

Answer 3

I'm still waiting for the Legislature to pass the laws that will allow me to implant adamantium claws in my arms. I'm not keeping my fingers crossed on the radioactive spider grant I applied for.