The importance of understanding science

I am a physicists so I like mathematics and physics. I became interested in physics as a teenager looking for answers to the ‘questions of life’, like why are we here, where do we come from, … Some look at religion for answers, I looked at physics and science in general. As a result I have a specific (scientific) way of looking at reality which is often at odds with how people in general look at the world. Everyone appears to have an opinion about science and technology which is normal in a word where technology surrounds us. This is OK if you have at least some basic understanding. Unfortunately some seem to take pride in knowing near to nothing about science and technology in general. In a world which is governed by technology it is only smart to have some basic understanding of how things work. If you have no clue whatsoever then the risk of following the Piep Piper of Hamelin becomes all too real. Of course you can have an opinion without being hampered by any knowledge but then you have to remember what Dirty Harry said : “Opinions are like arseholes, everybody’s got one.”