Belg4mit,

You're right it's not the eggheads sole responsibility, it's a two-way street. But you seem to demonstrate that very thing that most other scientists feel when they think about sharing scientist with lay people (Joe sixpac & Congressman Slick) IMPATIENCE. I understand the impatience. But being impatient and saying they need to act better doesn't get things going in the right direction.

Yes, people must make an effort to learn more about science.
Q1: And why don't people want to put effort into learning about science?
Q2: Why do they feel they can just ignore or gloss it over?
Q3: And more importantly, why do Scientists need people to understand science better?

A1: Too many reasons to name, but includes, disdain for science, think it's boring, seems unimportant or irrelevant. If the average person doesn't understand the relevance of something important in his/her life then that's a big problem. Those who know better have an obligation to help people. (I'm an altruist, so I'm hard-wired to be a little patient with hard-head self-destructive people. It's in my contract.)
Too many scientists and science teachers have presented science as a boring subject. Why would someone want to make an effort to learn more about something you dreaded in school? If someone hated science (and math) in school, they won't look at it again if they can help it. And what's worse, they'll turn their kids off of it, too.
But, if more people are introduced to a fun, relevant science lesson, they just may be more interested in learning more or at least they'll hate it less.

A2: Ignorance is bliss. We have a culture that makes it okay for people to accept almost any dang thing a so-called expert says. Many people feel as if it doesn't bother them, then they won't worry about it. Scientists (and others - eggheads and bleeding hearts) can make efforts to help people wake up and become more connected and involved with decisions, life, etc.

A3: Well, these average people have the power of the purse (and media). There's nothing more frightening than a ignorant mob with power. They can cut off our grants, ruin our public reputations, etc., all of this because they have no idea what the nature/essence of science truly is.
Plus, for completely selfish reasons, Scientists need a better informed/educated public because it is in our self-interest to do so.

The Urban Scientist
www.SciEdSociety.blogspot.com