Both in Britain and the United States the public says it is more interested in science than (for example) sport. Public knowledge of science gives less cause for gratification.
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Durant, J., Evans, G. & Thomas, G. The public understanding of science. Nature 340, 11–14 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/340011a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/340011a0
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