Romanians are in the first place in terms of distrust of science/technology, the last Eurobarometer shows. The Minister of Education and Research, Daniel David, points out that people choose to document themselves, not through institutions, which vulnely them in conspiracies and “fakenews”.
Danie David, Minister of Education and Research. Photo: Mediafax
“The attitude of Romanians towards science/technology, compared to other countries of the European Union, is the most unfavorable and distrust” – The Minister of Education and Research, Daniel David, found, after analyzing the latest European science/technology report.
The sample has included young people, adults and seniors, starting at the age of 15. The Eurobarometer was published in February.
David summarized some results about Romania:
– about one third (1/3 – 32%) of the population has a negative attitude towards science and technology (and 3% are not expressed). It is the highest negative attitude between the countries of the European Union (the EU average is around 17%).
– Only 50% of the population believes that the impact of science/technology has a positive effect on life. It is the lowest rate in the European Union (the EU average is around 67%).
– 45% of the population believes that people, not authorities, have to look for/ensure the benefits of new technologies. It is the highest rate in the European Union (the EU average is around 28%). This is after me showing distrust in the “truth/availability” of the authorities (although this should be their mission) and the tendency to seek this “truth/benefit” on their own (instead of reforming institutions that do not work well).
– Only 55% of the population considers that the results of science obtained from public funds must be presented publicly in free way (4% are not expressed). It is the lowest rate in the European Union (the EU average is around 80%).
– Only 25% of the population believe that the scientific-technological discoveries based on artificial intelligence are reliable. It is the lowest confidence in the European Union (the EU average is around 38%).
Conclusions: “Vulnerability to conspiracies and fakenews”
David concluded: “The attitude of Romanians towards science/technology, compared to other countries of the European Union, is the most unfavorable and distrust, people choosing to document themselves, not through institutions, which predisposes us to pseudo and vulnerability to conspiracy and” ” fakenews“. This phenomenon enters into two -way relationships with school dropout and functional illiteracy through which they amplify each other, until it becomes a risk of national security ”.
This situation has more implications:
“The direct voice of people is more important in the case of ethical/moral values (building on common sense what is” good “) and aesthetic values (which is” beautiful “), the institutions here having to be based more on the direct involvement of people”, Explains the minister.
But in terms of the value of “truth”, in our evolution as a species and as a civilization, we have created institutions (experts) to protect ourselves from us, says the teacher. “I created The “school”, that the “truth” should be established by science/experts, not by the voice of the most aggressive or shouting. Only in this way did we manage to become a civilization, in which we no longer hunt witch and no longer impose by strength/manipulation bizarre “truths” that destroy us and/or that limit our development”, Details the psychologist.
In this context, at the basis of saving our civilization today, when too many believe that they know “the truth” and they no longer need science, it is to rethink the way we do formal education in school and to emphasize life throughout life, including through education. non -formal.
“I ask the people of education and research to reject obscurantism”
“Moreover, the risk today, forgetting the lessons of the past and social sciences, is that we self -destruct under the conditions in which we attack the” system “not to do better in serving people, but because everyone wants to be” boss “or To have a privileged relationship with the “boss”, although this is impossible (no matter what those who want to manipulate us, we cannot all be in these situations so we will enter anarchic steps through which we always attack our existing leaders and institutions at a time)”, Stations the Minister of Education.
David claims that in terms of intelligence and creativity, young Romanian (and Romanians in general) are not behind others, which is why education must use, not waste this potential.
“Consequently, I ask the people of education and research to reject obscurantism and to make a team, committing us to carry more efficiently the light of knowledge and culture in schools/universities and in society, for the sake of our children and the country, which only in this way We can protect them from the obscurantism brought by pseudcines, ensuring a good present and future, not a unpredictable, dangerous and bizarre world!“David concluded.
