Prompt 1: Scientific Literacy

     For the first prompt, I will look into the importance of scientific literacy in a healthy democracy. I like to look at Scientific Literacy as the way to most simply bring important terms of everyday life to more understandable and compatible material. In other words, make important yet applicable terms feasible to the average person. Democracy, in general, thrives in the hands of the people and if scientific literacy is irrelevant, than the power is in the wrong hands. For instance, if "we" the people vote on the passing of climate controls, it is our duty to actually understand the concept. That task is easier said than done. The average Joe can attempt to pick up a book or turn on the news to become educated, but the scientific literacy of that person will handicap their ability to fully understand. What I am trying to get across is, Scientific Literacy and Democracy come hand in hand.
    The question is how and why? As I said before, we the people have the power. And the average Joe will not be able to decipher the 15 letter words and millions of viruses that we see flashing all over the TV. The majority of people do not have access or have the desire to further that knowledge. The answer is simplicity. Simplicity in the large, confusing terminology in hope to increase knowledge and awareness. Then you must consider why? If we can make those with the power educated and aware of those scientific constructs, then we are surely benefiting society through our knowledge. A basis of information will create awareness, but may not create interest.
    The solution here to a lack of interest in these "15 letter words" is not just educating. It is a educating in a broad, more basic fashion. By following this method, we can allow people to adapt and understand to different information rather than be narrow minded in certain areas. The result here is the turn off of topics that people cannot understand. That spark of interest combined with understanding, allows the advancement Democracy needs.
     A Democracy is looking to constantly progress and give the best product from the people. If people are responsible for proposing, developing, and creating the components of living, then the combination of Scientific Literacy increasing and interest increasing, will have a positive effect. The advancement must take place in order to open democratic citizen's eyes to important subjects they might otherwise surpass.