Life Imitates South Park

I was reading an article in the Wall Street Journal this morning which discussed the state of science education in the US:

Popular ambivalence may rather reflect the fact that most Americans are scientifically illiterate. A 2006 National Science Foundation survey found that 25% of Americans did not know the earth goes around the sun.

This immediately brought to mind the famous 9/11 Troof episode.

Cartman: Kyle, why are you so afraid of the truth?

Kyle: Because anybody who thinks 9/11 is a conspiracy is a retard!

Cartman: Oh really, well did you know that over 1/4th of the people in America think that 9/11 was a conspiracy? Are you saying that 1/4th of Americans are retards?

Kyle: Yes, I am saying that 1/4th of Americans are retards.

Stan: At least 1/4th.

Kyle: Let's take a test sample. There's 4 of us, you're a retard. That's 1/4th.

Interestingly enough, the original report also states that half of Americans believe in ESP. At least David Ray Griffin will be happy, but it kind of puts that whole 4.6% thing in perspective.