Educators in the United States have long warned the public that we are becoming increasingly scientifically illiterate. Conspiracy theorists claim that politicians beholden to conservative groups that champion junk science like creationism and climate-change skepticism are to blame. On the other hand, it might be that some self-appointed "professional writers" heavily contribute to the problem.
Take for instance Eric Bank, who writes for Demand Media. Bank published a "science" (we use the term loosely) article for the Seattle P-I education site in which he pretended to answer the simple question "Temperature Needed to Turn Silicon Into Glass." Here's his introductory paragraph:
For his backwards description of a fulgurite, we hereby award Eric Bank the Dumbass of the Day. We suggest that he pawn the award and take an introductory geology class with the proceeds.
Take for instance Eric Bank, who writes for Demand Media. Bank published a "science" (we use the term loosely) article for the Seattle P-I education site in which he pretended to answer the simple question "Temperature Needed to Turn Silicon Into Glass." Here's his introductory paragraph:
 |
| A fulgurite |
"Glass making is an ancient craft. Mother Nature can make glass when lightning strikes a sandy beach. Sand is the compound silicon dioxide, and at temperatures of around 1,760 degrees Celsius (3,200 degrees Fahrenheit), it melts to create a form of glass called quartz. Pure silicon melts at 1,414 degrees Celsius (2,577 degrees Fahrenheit), but glassmakers use sand rather than pure silicon."
| Mr. Bank, who claimed to have a biology degree, spent most of his time writing business articles. Apparently he skipped that favorite "gut" course in college, Rocks for Jocks. Had he taken it, he might have remembered that quartz is a mineral whose chemical formula is silicon dioxide, not a "form of glass." It's the most common mineral in (many) sand deposits. Saying it's a form of glass is like saying that wheat is a form of bread or that leather is a form of shoes. And here's a little hint for you, Eric: glassmakers melt quartz, a translucent to transparent mineral, to make glass because if they used pure silicon – a metallic element – the result would be opaque. Dumbass. |
For his backwards description of a fulgurite, we hereby award Eric Bank the Dumbass of the Day. We suggest that he pawn the award and take an introductory geology class with the proceeds.
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SI - PHYSICS
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