oh dear

Speaking of science, it appears that a cultural crisis is looming in America. This New York Times article states that while scientific literacy has doubled over the past two decades, only 20 to 25 percent of Americans are "scientifically savvy and alert," acording to Northwestern science professor Jon D. Miller. Most of the rest "don't have a clue," he said. The scariest part? One adult American in five thinks the Sun revolves around the Earth, an idea science had abandoned by the 17th century.

Who are these people? Where do they live? Why have they not been shunned from society?