http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/ingdahl2.html :

"But there has been a marked global decrease of students willing to
study physics, and funding has decreased accordingly. Not only that,
the best students are not heading for studies in physics, finding other
fields more appealing, and science teachers to schools are getting
scarcer in supply. In fact, warning voices are being heard about the
spread of a "scientific illiteracy" where many living in
technologically advanced societies lack the knowledge and the ability
for critical thinking in order to function in their daily environment.
.........................
Einstein moved to the US, and became more of a recluse. The scientific
problems of theoretical physics had certainly become more difficult
during Einstein's life, but he continued to be the last classical
physicist rather than taking part of the revolution of relativity and
quantum mechanics he had ushered, instead pursuing an extension of the
general theory of relativity in a unified field theory. During his
Princeton years he cultivated the image of the bohemian, sloppily clad,
ivory tower professor that became the very essence of the public's
image of a scientist. In his search for the unified field theory he
also became more concerned with abstract formalism, rather than
argumentation and experimentation - a formalism that unfortunately is
seen in today's class rooms where teachers often find it difficult to
explain why physics is of relevance to the students."

Pentcho Valev

It would be instructive to develop two analogous themes: "Einstein and
Physics Education" and "Clausius and Chemistry Education".

Pentcho Valev

Pentcho Valev wrote:
It would be instructive to develop two analogous themes: "Einstein and
Physics Education" and "Clausius and Chemistry Education".

Pentcho Valev

It would also be instructive for you to read some books.

Probably the most instructive thing you could do is compare the
salaries and public respect accorded to an investment analyst vs. a
physics professional.

"Joseki" wrote in message
oups.com...
Probably the most instructive thing you could do is compare the
salaries and public respect accorded to an investment analyst vs. a
physics professional.

Until the lights go out.

Until the lights go out.

********************

Yeah, I agree. Of course, you can always hand an investment analyst a
hoe and point him/her towards a corn field to deweeded and he/she
could probably do some good work hoeing until overcome by fatigue in an
hour or two due to actually having to do some real work for once in
their life.

wrote in message
oups.com...
Until the lights go out.

********************

Yeah, I agree. Of course, you can always hand an investment analyst a
hoe and point him/her towards a corn field to deweeded and he/she
could probably do some good work hoeing until overcome by fatigue in an
hour or two due to actually having to do some real work for once in
their life.

I would wager that there are more physicists who do gardening than
investment analysts. It's a zen thing, your know! I know this geologist
certainly does. Most likely an investment analyst would be fretting over
his protfolio, or worrying about getting his aligator shoes dirty. Most
physicists certainly aren't above getting their hands dirty. I know more
than one who works some 70 hours/week. It ain't easy calibrating a
tokamak!

Pentcho Valev wrote:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/ingdahl2.html :

"But there has been a marked global decrease of students willing to
study physics, and funding has decreased accordingly. Not only that,
the best students are not heading for studies in physics, finding other
fields more appealing, and science teachers to schools are getting
scarcer in supply. In fact, warning voices are being heard about the
spread of a "scientific illiteracy" where many living in
technologically advanced societies lack the knowledge and the ability
for critical thinking in order to function in their daily environment.
........................
Einstein moved to the US, and became more of a recluse. The scientific
problems of theoretical physics had certainly become more difficult
during Einstein's life, but he continued to be the last classical
physicist rather than taking part of the revolution of relativity and
quantum mechanics he had ushered, instead pursuing an extension of the
general theory of relativity in a unified field theory. During his
Princeton years he cultivated the image of the bohemian, sloppily clad,
ivory tower professor that became the very essence of the public's
image of a scientist. In his search for the unified field theory he
also became more concerned with abstract formalism, rather than
argumentation and experimentation - a formalism that unfortunately is
seen in today's class rooms where teachers often find it difficult to
explain why physics is of relevance to the students."

You're blaming Einstein for the decrease in physics education in the
US?


There are three reasons I can think of as far more plausible reasons:

1) Sputnik and the race for space and scientific literacy that was
generated and supported by the US government during the Cold War. The
Cold War is over, which decreased the patriotic emphasis on science
education, with a decrease in science jobs.

2) Science fiction used to be a promoter of science topics and thus
turn young people on to science study. Many NASA people have attested
to this.

But let's look at one example from science fiction movies. Take the
case of the 1950's version of War of the Worlds and the remake done in
early 2005. For better or for worse, the 1950's version departed from
the original story by introducing a physicist as the hero. The recent
version showed instead a disfunctional dad as a blue collar worker. I
don't know what young people got out of the role model in the recent
version, but I was much more impressed as a kid when I saw the 1950's
positive portrayal of a physicist played by Gene Barry. Modern science
fiction does not make science or scientists interesting to young
people.

Anyway, the TV series The Time Tunnel of long ago was cool too in its
positive depiction of physicists and engineers as good role models for
young people. Mr Spock made a good portrayal of a physicist in Star
Trek, and even Dr. Who used to be a good role model of physicists for
young people. South Part just doesn't make a good alternative to
motivate young people to become physicists.

3) Science is no longer sexy in the media and nonscience jobs pay much
better.

P.S. Old science fiction even modeled movie physicists after Einstein,
such as in the classic movie: The Day the Earth Stood Still. This
depiction was very positive. Just try to find one positive depiction of
a physicist in anything recent in the entertainment industry.