How Gullible are we?

[Roph]

A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project, he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide."

And for plenty of good reasons, since:

1. It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. It is a major component in acid rain
3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. Accidental inhalation can kill you
5. It contributes to erosion
6. It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical. Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, and only one knew that the chemical was water. The title of his prize winning project was, "How Gullible Are We?" He feels the conclusion is obvious.

~

[Morris Lawry]

Go's to show how gullible we can and are being, i cant belive that only 1 person knew it was water

[:)]

I lol'd

[Arrow]

I laughed my fucking ass off.

[Knownot]

I fcuking craked up laughing as did my father

[dwarra]

Go's to show how gullible we can and are being, i cant belive that only 1 person knew it was water

I didnt know 

[Decadent Sympozium]

A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair, April 26. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to alarmists practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project, he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "dihydrogen monoxide."

And for plenty of good reasons, since:

1. It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. It is a major component in acid rain
3. It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. Accidental inhalation can kill you
5. It contributes to erosion
6. It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. It has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical. Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, and only one knew that the chemical was water. The title of his prize winning project was, "How Gullible Are We?" He feels the conclusion is obvious.

~

It is a common fact that people "don't know things", and it's another they don't think enough. Somewhere more, somewhere less. However, in my opinion, the test wasn't fully argumented. If he asked about "water", or even just said "H2O", people would, of course, reply well. If he asked anyone working with chemicals, he would reply well. Not everyone cares about scientific phrases and not everyone believes knowing what exactly "H2O" states for matters in their life. Everyone has all kind of interests and living paths and doesn't need to know something else - where that's why there are others who do know exactly that.

In my opinion, this was better a test of question how ashamed or brave we can be, because if any of them just had guts to admit he doesn't understand the question and ask for specification, his test would go in a completely different way.

[Christina]

lol this proves that 86% of people generally arent very scientific or smart in that subject, not neccesarily gullible, but i guess a lil bit ya

[darkelementwars]

It is a common fact that people "don't know things", and it's another they don't think enough. Somewhere more, somewhere less. However, in my opinion, the test wasn't fully argumented. If he asked about "water", or even just said "H2O", people would, of course, reply well. If he asked anyone working with chemicals, he would reply well. Not everyone cares about scientific phrases and not everyone believes knowing what exactly "H2O" states for matters in their life. Everyone has all kind of interests and living paths and doesn't need to know something else - where that's why there are others who do know exactly that.

In my opinion, this was better a test of question how ashamed or brave we can be, because if any of them just had guts to admit he doesn't understand the question and ask for specification, his test would go in a completely different way.

The test also fails to mention that dihydrogen oxide is not a very standard term for water, even in the scientific field.  Though it is technically correct, it is very abnormal to call water that.

[Decadent Sympozium]

It is a common fact that people "don't know things", and it's another they don't think enough. Somewhere more, somewhere less. However, in my opinion, the test wasn't fully argumented. If he asked about "water", or even just said "H2O", people would, of course, reply well. If he asked anyone working with chemicals, he would reply well. Not everyone cares about scientific phrases and not everyone believes knowing what exactly "H2O" states for matters in their life. Everyone has all kind of interests and living paths and doesn't need to know something else - where that's why there are others who do know exactly that.

In my opinion, this was better a test of question how ashamed or brave we can be, because if any of them just had guts to admit he doesn't understand the question and ask for specification, his test would go in a completely different way.

The test also fails to mention that dihydrogen oxide is not a very standard term for water, even in the scientific field.  Though it is technically correct, it is very abnormal to call water that.

My point exactly. I am sure that guy would fail if I setup a test and set him this question:

1. The process of deterministic chaos is all-present in nature and through interaction can cause serious damage to the core balance. Do you think nations should get rid of it?

Yeah, a deathtrap and I bet very little know this is about a philosophical theory.

[Djangonator]

The test also fails to mention that dihydrogen oxide is not a very standard term for water, even in the scientific field.  Though it is technically correct, it is very abnormal to call water that.

If people would pay attention to the names, though, they'd be able to recognize the compound. "Dihydrogen monoxide"- 2 hydrogen, one oxygen.

[SexualBubblegumX]

And people wonder why humanity annoys me.

[Decadent Sympozium]

The test also fails to mention that dihydrogen oxide is not a very standard term for water, even in the scientific field.  Though it is technically correct, it is very abnormal to call water that.

If people would pay attention to the names, though, they'd be able to recognize the compound. "Dihydrogen monoxide"- 2 hydrogen, one oxygen.

So, an interviewer approaches you and asks "Do you know how much time passes between first and second intercallar", and you stop there, thinking "Hmmm...let me think...inter is something inside, or between..hmm...callar could be coming from latin callis which means *opening dictionary* to insert. Hmmm, hmm...now could that be...hmm hmm... 4 years?

Regardless of obvious name, they still may not know what hydrogen stands for, and what monoxide stands for as such. As much as we need water, so much we need sodium chloride. Here's a hint: NaCl+. Now, mind anyone telling me, without studying chemistry, that I'm talking about salt?

My point is...well...the test was dumb and I would not give him award. XD


by the way, can anyone explain why the number of my posts is above 32 thousand? XD

[ZaMullet]

People are quite gullible. I've seen some people do exactly the same joke on other forums. I always lawl a lot.

[Djangonator]

Regardless of obvious name, they still may not know what hydrogen stands for, and what monoxide stands for as such. As much as we need water, so much we need sodium chloride. Here's a hint: NaCl+. Now, mind anyone telling me, without studying chemistry, that I'm talking about salt?

My point is...well...the test was dumb and I would not give him award. XD

"What hydrogen stands for" WHAT ELSE WOULD IT STAND FOR? And anyone who knew science would know that "oxide" is just oxygen in an ionic compound, and that "mono" means one. Latin has very, very little to do with it.

Also, what comes into question is who exactly he asked. Did he ask adults? Peers? 5-year-olds?

And I don't think NaCl has a charge. I might be wrong, but sodium is positively charged, and chlorine is negatively charged. And NaCl is not the only salt.

EDIT: WAIT -IDE IS AT THE END OF A COVALENT COMPOUND SRY EVRYBOADY

[Decadent Sympozium]

Latin has very, very little to do with it.

It was in form of an example, didn't link it with his work in any way.

[Djangonator]

The I don't get why you made an example of it.

[Malson]

This just in: People are stupid. Oh wait, that's not news at all.

[Decadent Sympozium]

The I don't get why you made an example of it.

See it this way: Source isn't relevant. "Source" as what "source" is in the meaning of this word is relevant.

[Djangonator]

...What?

[Decadent Sympozium]

Nevermind.

[Zeriab]

So many people who answered yes without knowing what it is 
This made my day. XD

Just shows how easy it is to manipulate people.

[Knownot]

I think its a very clever experiment. Better than my science fair...
What paper planes fly better.... The folded one did lol.

[SexualBubblegumX]

Decadent gave me a migraine....

[the_ramen_noodle]

I've heard this story before, but it's always good for a laugh.








Huh, I'm posting. I'm on Crankeye's again. I think I'll talk with you guys a little more.