Only six percent of scientists are Republicans

[HomerJS]

I'm not sure if this is a clash of political parties but of science vs religion. I think the GOPs emphasis on religion over science is causing this gap.

Right wing talking heads constantly complain of too many "libs" working at colleges, journalism and now we have science in the mix.

What is it about these professions that turn off the GOP?


Article on survey

 

[Brainonska511]

Critical thinking skills?

 

[BoberFett]

Way to cherry pick data.

Only 55% call themselves Democrats.

So a fairly large percentage of scientists understand that both parties have their heads up their collective asses.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Way to cherry pick data.

Only 55% call themselves Democrats.

So a fairly large percentage of scientists understand that both parties have their heads up their collective asses.

So 55% vs 6% and you don't see that as an alarming gap... Cherry picking doesn't begin to describe it.

 

[cyclohexane]

6% still sounds a bit too high.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

Yeah, because the right is hurting for representation among engineers and economist....


But I do give this the phokus seal of approval. After all, how else could you so succinctly go from a highly doubtful number in a science background and immediately carry it onto an attack on religion. After all, the church had absolutely nothing to do with funding science or the arts for hundreds of thousands of years.

 

[Moonbeam]

Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Way to cherry pick data.

Only 55% call themselves Democrats.

So a fairly large percentage of scientists understand that both parties have their heads up their collective asses.

So 55% vs 6% and you don't see that as an alarming gap... Cherry picking doesn't begin to describe it.

Bober isn't a scientist. The emphasis isn't on data.

He imagines they are Libertarians but I imagine that there are so many corporate interests that are Republican in nature that many don't get involved in political positions because they want to get and keep jobs. Your nuclear and military scientists, I bet, also lean Republican, as in, which side of your bread has the butter.

 

[themusgrat]

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

Don't be retarded. Science right now lines up with Democrats in general, it's not because some Republicans are admittedly even dumber than you, but one major reason is because science is in itself a liberal undertaking. Right now, science is trying to push the boundries, make new things, discover new truths about our world and universe. Who knows, maybe in a century, scientists will be trying to pull the world back from where they've taken it, and will more naturally align with conservatives.

Whatever the reason, you're trying to blame Republicans from being Republicans, making it sound like they don't want to better themselves. I think alot of people forget what fundamentally separates conservatives from liberals. Conservatives see the good in the system we have now and want to preserve it. Liberals see the bad in the system and want to change it for the better. Alot of people do take that to mean that liberals are more for education or intelligence or whatever, but in truth both approaches have their merits.

I will admit that the modern Republican party does have a lot of rethinking to do, it has let itself get bogged down in what it thought was working when all it was really doing is prolonging the inevitable.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: cyclohexane
6% still sounds a bit too high.

I'd be interested in seeing the breakdowns between different fields.

Anyhow, scientists tend to be more progressive and liberal, they (especially the ones in academia) live a bit sheltered from the rest of the world. Not trying to make it out as a bad thing, but many scientists don't deal with the world in the same way that an accountant or say Fox News reporter do.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: AyashiKaibutsu

Originally posted by: BoberFett
Way to cherry pick data.

Only 55% call themselves Democrats.

So a fairly large percentage of scientists understand that both parties have their heads up their collective asses.

So 55% vs 6% and you don't see that as an alarming gap... Cherry picking doesn't begin to describe it.

Why would I be alarmed? I don't care if the Republicans win elections.

 

[theeedude]

And those 6% are Chrisitian Scientists?

 

[AndrewR]

A great many scientists are academicians, and most people in academia are not exactly conservative by any stretch of the imagination. This isn't terribly surprising to me.

Overall margin of sampling error is reported as 2.5%

While still weighted heavily toward the Left, considering the academic slant I mentioned earlier plus the fact that the GOP is in a nadir right now, it's not all that Earth-shattering to me.

Some interesting facts to me:
19% of the respondents are retired
14% are in school full time, 2% part time
63% are employed by a university or college <--see 1st para. above
8% are employed by non-profit
9% are employed by gov't
59% are age 50+

Also, the survey population was the membership of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), which is an organization whose membership is open to anyone, regardless of scientific credentials. So, the AAAS members are not necessarily scientists, at least based on the criteria for entry into AAAS, which I found curious.

Lastly, not all scientists in this survey are particularly rational...

When something is run by gov't it is usually inefficient and wasteful.

58% of the scientists disagreed with that assertion.

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: themusgrat

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

Don't be retarded. Science right now lines up with Democrats in general, it's not because some Republicans are admittedly even dumber than you, but one major reason is because science is in itself a liberal undertaking.

I think alot of people forget what fundamentally separates conservatives from liberals. Conservatives see the good in the system we have now and want to preserve it. Liberals see the bad in the system and want to change it for the better. Alot of people do take that to mean that liberals are more for education or intelligence or whatever, but in truth both approaches have their merits.

Well said. Science is about discovery, experimenting, asking questions, change, and challenging current understanding. These are liberal (small "L") principles. Conservatives by nature seek maintenance of status quo, and more republicans are conservative than democrats are conservative.

To wit, the new republican talking point about to emerge on Obama's stimulus package is going to refer to it as "the Obama Experiment." This is an attempt to brand his policies as risky or dangerous. "Experimental" conjures images of mad scientists at play. I'm not sure what the conservatives would offer would be any less risky, like spending less or doing nothing, but it's all about branding. "Clear Skies Act" protects polluters, "Death Tax" strikes fear into people despite affecting almost no one, and who'd oppose the "Patriot Act"? Only traitors of course. Dems generally lose the branding wars. "Global Warming" doesn't sound dangerous, it sounds pleasant, especially in winter! Bill Maher offered a better sounding alternative that will associate with negative feelins: Climatia.

 

[thraashman]

Originally posted by: themusgrat

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

Don't be retarded. Science right now lines up with Democrats in general, it's not because some Republicans are admittedly even dumber than you, but one major reason is because science is in itself a liberal undertaking. Right now, science is trying to push the boundries, make new things, discover new truths about our world and universe. Who knows, maybe in a century, scientists will be trying to pull the world back from where they've taken it, and will more naturally align with conservatives.

Whatever the reason, you're trying to blame Republicans from being Republicans, making it sound like they don't want to better themselves. I think alot of people forget what fundamentally separates conservatives from liberals. Conservatives see the good in the system we have now and want to preserve it. Liberals see the bad in the system and want to change it for the better. Alot of people do take that to mean that liberals are more for education or intelligence or whatever, but in truth both approaches have their merits.

I will admit that the modern Republican party does have a lot of rethinking to do, it has let itself get bogged down in what it thought was working when all it was really doing is prolonging the inevitable.

I'm sorry but I don't think you have any place in this thread. You didn't troll, you didn't insult anyone or use profanity, you didn't mock religion or tout it as the absolute truth..... You did nothing but make a rational argument that didn't attack either side!

I'm sorry but arguments like that simply have no place in P&N ..... or at least they're virtually never seen and shunned as if stricken with the plague.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Originally posted by: themusgrat

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

Don't be retarded. Science right now lines up with Democrats in general, it's not because some Republicans are admittedly even dumber than you, but one major reason is because science is in itself a liberal undertaking. Right now, science is trying to push the boundries, make new things, discover new truths about our world and universe. Who knows, maybe in a century, scientists will be trying to pull the world back from where they've taken it, and will more naturally align with conservatives.

Whatever the reason, you're trying to blame Republicans from being Republicans, making it sound like they don't want to better themselves. I think alot of people forget what fundamentally separates conservatives from liberals. Conservatives see the good in the system we have now and want to preserve it. Liberals see the bad in the system and want to change it for the better. Alot of people do take that to mean that liberals are more for education or intelligence or whatever, but in truth both approaches have their merits.

I will admit that the modern Republican party does have a lot of rethinking to do, it has let itself get bogged down in what it thought was working when all it was really doing is prolonging the inevitable.

Who was labeling whom "professorial" as a derogatory term last presidential election? Explain why Sarah Palin is so popular. Or Joe the Plumber. I can go on and on. I stand by my statement, there is example after example open hostile contempt towards intelligence and education and applauding mediocrity and near complete retardation on the part of the right.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

Scientists tend to be dreamers, nuff said.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian

Originally posted by: themusgrat

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

Don't be retarded. Science right now lines up with Democrats in general, it's not because some Republicans are admittedly even dumber than you, but one major reason is because science is in itself a liberal undertaking. Right now, science is trying to push the boundries, make new things, discover new truths about our world and universe. Who knows, maybe in a century, scientists will be trying to pull the world back from where they've taken it, and will more naturally align with conservatives.

Whatever the reason, you're trying to blame Republicans from being Republicans, making it sound like they don't want to better themselves. I think alot of people forget what fundamentally separates conservatives from liberals. Conservatives see the good in the system we have now and want to preserve it. Liberals see the bad in the system and want to change it for the better. Alot of people do take that to mean that liberals are more for education or intelligence or whatever, but in truth both approaches have their merits.

I will admit that the modern Republican party does have a lot of rethinking to do, it has let itself get bogged down in what it thought was working when all it was really doing is prolonging the inevitable.

Who was labeling whom "professorial" as a derogatory term last presidential election? Explain why Sarah Palin is so popular. Or Joe the Plumber. I can go on and on. I stand by my statement, there is example after example open hostile contempt towards intelligence and education and applauding mediocrity and near complete retardation on the part of the right.

For a poll with 2/3rds of the respondents being college professors, you are truly building a fine strawman argument.

I do remember this attacks on "professionals"; occurred right around the time that it was pointed out that only one of the 4 members on the top tickets was an executive professional as I recall.

 

[bobsmith1492]

Perhaps most college science professors are liberal, but that's been understood since the '60s. Check out the engineering population though; based on personal experience, I would say 90%+ are conservative.

 

[Mani]

delete

 

[Mani]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Perhaps most college science professors are liberal, but that's been understood since the '60s. Check out the engineering population though; based on personal experience, I would say 90%+ are conservative.

No way. I'm an engineer and I'd put just about all my profs in the ~40% that are non-declared (and most likely apolitical).

 

[theeedude]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Perhaps most college science professors are liberal, but that's been understood since the '60s. Check out the engineering population though; based on personal experience, I would say 90%+ are conservative.

What are you talking about? Come to Silicon valley, 90% liberal engineers here.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Perhaps most college science professors are liberal, but that's been understood since the '60s. Check out the engineering population though; based on personal experience, I would say 90%+ are conservative.

You pulled that number out of your rear.

 

[Drako]

Originally posted by: senseamp

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Perhaps most college science professors are liberal, but that's been understood since the '60s. Check out the engineering population though; based on personal experience, I would say 90%+ are conservative.

What are you talking about? Come to Silicon valley, 90% liberal engineers here.

LOL, what part of Silicon valley do you live in. I would say it's closer to 75% conservative, 25% liberal.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Originally posted by: lupi

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian

Originally posted by: themusgrat

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Who is surprised, the right has an openly hostile contempt towards any intelligence and education that's not trickle down economics.

Don't be retarded. Science right now lines up with Democrats in general, it's not because some Republicans are admittedly even dumber than you, but one major reason is because science is in itself a liberal undertaking. Right now, science is trying to push the boundries, make new things, discover new truths about our world and universe. Who knows, maybe in a century, scientists will be trying to pull the world back from where they've taken it, and will more naturally align with conservatives.

Whatever the reason, you're trying to blame Republicans from being Republicans, making it sound like they don't want to better themselves. I think alot of people forget what fundamentally separates conservatives from liberals. Conservatives see the good in the system we have now and want to preserve it. Liberals see the bad in the system and want to change it for the better. Alot of people do take that to mean that liberals are more for education or intelligence or whatever, but in truth both approaches have their merits.

I will admit that the modern Republican party does have a lot of rethinking to do, it has let itself get bogged down in what it thought was working when all it was really doing is prolonging the inevitable.

Who was labeling whom "professorial" as a derogatory term last presidential election? Explain why Sarah Palin is so popular. Or Joe the Plumber. I can go on and on. I stand by my statement, there is example after example open hostile contempt towards intelligence and education and applauding mediocrity and near complete retardation on the part of the right.

For a poll with 2/3rds of the respondents being college professors, you are truly building a fine strawman argument.

I do remember this attacks on "professionals"; occurred right around the time that it was pointed out that only one of the 4 members on the top tickets was an executive professional as I recall.

Screw the poll. And Obama was specifically attacked by the right for being professorial. Oh the horror, someone whose ideas come out in complete sentences containing complicated things like reason and nuance.