Science Polls: Register Your Opinion on Science and Scientific Issues
Ideally, science knows no dogmas and no sacred cows - this means that everything is open to questioning and testing. As a consequence, many favored beliefs may come under scrutiny and perhaps rejected - this includes but is not limited to religious and paranormal beliefs. If you have an opinion about the relationship between science and other aspects of society, you can vote in the polls here.
Will Space Flights Become Routine in Your Lifetime?
The technology to send people into space has been growing steadily over the past several decades, but it still isn't financially viable to send people into space on a regular basis. Some hope and think that this will change soon, but others are far more cautious and skeptical. Where do you stand?
The technology to send people into space has been growing steadily over the past several decades, but it still isn't financially viable to send people into space on a regular basis. Some hope and think that this will change soon, but others are far more cautious and skeptical. Where do you stand?
Is President Bush Politicizing Science Too Much?
Many scientists have complained about the Bush administration politicizing science and undermining objective research by inserting partisan political agendas into scientific projects. Do you agree that political motives have intruded too far into American science?
Many scientists have complained about the Bush administration politicizing science and undermining objective research by inserting partisan political agendas into scientific projects. Do you agree that political motives have intruded too far into American science?
Should We Send Humans to Mars?
Many believe that the next big step in space exploration is to send humans to Mars - at first just to explore and get samples, but perhaps eventually to establish a permanent base... maybe even colonization. Do you support spending the large amounts of money to send astronauts to Mars?
Many believe that the next big step in space exploration is to send humans to Mars - at first just to explore and get samples, but perhaps eventually to establish a permanent base... maybe even colonization. Do you support spending the large amounts of money to send astronauts to Mars?
What is the Current State of Science Education?
Scientific literacy is crucial in today's world. Science has become such an integral part of so much that we do and need that, if a person isn't familiar with basic scientific principles and concepts, they will be lost in many public policy debates and issues. But are our schools doing enough to teach about science?
Scientific literacy is crucial in today's world. Science has become such an integral part of so much that we do and need that, if a person isn't familiar with basic scientific principles and concepts, they will be lost in many public policy debates and issues. But are our schools doing enough to teach about science?
Does Science Do More Harm or Good?
Modern science and technology have brought us many wonderful things that help and improve our lives. Science and technology have also brought us many terrible things which threaten to wipe out all life. Are science and technology doing us more good or more harm in the end?
Modern science and technology have brought us many wonderful things that help and improve our lives. Science and technology have also brought us many terrible things which threaten to wipe out all life. Are science and technology doing us more good or more harm in the end?
Do We Spend Enough on Space Exploration?
Space exploration has been an inspiration for scientists for many decades - unfortunately, it is very expensive. There are suggestions for ambitious projects - like a permanent base on the moon and visiting Mars. Should we spend more to explore space or do we already spend too much?
Space exploration has been an inspiration for scientists for many decades - unfortunately, it is very expensive. There are suggestions for ambitious projects - like a permanent base on the moon and visiting Mars. Should we spend more to explore space or do we already spend too much?
Is There Life on Other Planets?
Some people believe that there must be life elsewhere in the universe and that it couldn't have arisen only on this planet. Others are just as sure that it can't exist - sometimes for religious reason. What do you think about it?
Some people believe that there must be life elsewhere in the universe and that it couldn't have arisen only on this planet. Others are just as sure that it can't exist - sometimes for religious reason. What do you think about it?
Will (Should) We Create Artificial Intelligence (A.I.)?
A popular subject of research today is in the nature of consciousness and whether computers can be made to replicate human thought. The 'holy grail' of this research is the creation of A.I., Artificial Intelligence - computers that can think independently. Will this succeed? Should we want it to succeed?
A popular subject of research today is in the nature of consciousness and whether computers can be made to replicate human thought. The 'holy grail' of this research is the creation of A.I., Artificial Intelligence - computers that can think independently. Will this succeed? Should we want it to succeed?
Is Bush Manipulating Science for Political Reasons?
There have been a number of incidents where it appears that science has been manipulated for the sake of political or even religious preferences - putting creationist tracts at the Grand Canyon, for example. Is this part of a pattern of subordinating science to politics?
There have been a number of incidents where it appears that science has been manipulated for the sake of political or even religious preferences - putting creationist tracts at the Grand Canyon, for example. Is this part of a pattern of subordinating science to politics?
Conflict Between Science and Religion
It's not unusual to hear about conflicts between science and religion - there's evolution & creationism, stem-cell research, cloning, and the list can just keep going on and on. But is there a real conflict between science and religion - and, if so, is it getting worse or better?
It's not unusual to hear about conflicts between science and religion - there's evolution & creationism, stem-cell research, cloning, and the list can just keep going on and on. But is there a real conflict between science and religion - and, if so, is it getting worse or better?