McCain’s Dangerous Science Illiteracy

Posted by jns on 10 October 2008

At the most recent presidential so-called “debate” (that would be debate #2, the “town hall meeting” format), John McCain, trying to score cheap points against rival Barack Obama, referred to earmark money Obama voted for that included “$3 million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Illinois”.

Of course, as many of us knew at the time, and as many, many more now know, that “overhead projector” was actually a sophisticated piece of optical equipment, a Zeiss Mark VI star projector, the programmable star projector that recreates a view of the heavens on the ceiling of planetariums. These instruments are slightly different from an “overhead projector”.

The Adler Planetarium even felt the need to defend its honor with a press release commenting on the issues. From that press release:

To clarify, the Adler Planetarium requested federal support – which was not funded – to replace the projector in its historic Sky Theater, the first planetarium theater in the Western Hemisphere. The Adler’s Zeiss Mark VI projector – not an overhead projector – is the instrument that re-creates the night sky in a dome theater, the quintessential planetarium experience. The Adler’s projector is nearly 40 years old and is no longer supported with parts or service by the manufacturer. It is only the second planetarium projector in the Adler’s 78 years of operation.

Science literacy is an urgent issue in the United States. To remain competitive and ensure national security, it is vital that we educate and inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue careers in science, echnology, engineering and math.

My bold, of course, to highlight why you should support Ars Hermeneutica’s mission.

McCain’s science illiteracy, as illustrated by this remarkably foolish gambit, is dangerous enough. (Either he didn’t know, or he did know and willfully used this tasty sound-bite about the “overhead projector” to prey on the electorate’s illiteracy.) However, I’m sure that he didn’t come up with this earmark tidbit–someone on his staff did. Someone on McCain’s staff should have been able to say “Wait a minute, John. That’s not an overhead projector–that’s one of those really expensive, complicated planetarium thingies!”

We can’t afford scientifically illiterate leaders, nor can we afford scientific illiteracy among their staff.

As we are inclined to say at Ars: “C’mon, it’s not as if it’s rocket science we’re talking about!”