http://www.boston.com/ae/theater_arts/articles/2006/03/10/making_einsteins_dreams_come_true/

http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig6/ingdahl2.html
"But there has been a marked global decrease of students willing to
study physics, and funding has decreased accordingly. Not only that,
the best students are not heading for studies in physics, finding other
fields more appealing, and science teachers to schools are getting
scarcer in supply. In fact, warning voices are being heard about the
spread of a "scientific illiteracy" where many living in
technologically advanced societies lack the knowledge and the ability
for critical thinking in order to function in their daily environment.
........................
Einstein moved to the US, and became more of a recluse. The scientific
problems of theoretical physics had certainly become more difficult
during Einstein's life, but he continued to be the last classical
physicist rather than taking part of the revolution of relativity and
quantum mechanics he had ushered, instead pursuing an extension of the
general theory of relativity in a unified field theory. During his
Princeton years he cultivated the image of the bohemian, sloppily clad,
ivory tower professor that became the very essence of the public's
image of a scientist. In his search for the unified field theory he
also became more concerned with abstract formalism, rather than
argumentation and experimentation - a formalism that unfortunately is
seen in today's class rooms where teachers often find it difficult to
explain why physics is of relevance to the students."

http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/comment/story/0,9828,1648111,00.html
"We are nearing the end of the "World Year of Physics", otherwise known
as Einstein Year, as it is the centenary of his annus mirabilis in
which he made three incredible breakthroughs, including special
relativity. In fact, it was 100 years ago yesterday that he published
the most famous equation in the history of physics: E=mc2. But instead
of celebrating, physicists are in mourning after a report showed a
dramatic decline in the number of pupils studying physics at school.
The number taking A-level physics has dropped by 38% over the past 15
years, a catastrophic meltdown that is set to continue over the next
few years. The report warns that a shortage of physics teachers and a
lack of interest from pupils could mean the end of physics in state
schools.... Britain was the home of Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday and
Paul Dirac, and Brits made world-class contributions to understanding
gravity, quantum physics and electromagnetism - and yet the British
physicist is now facing extinction."

Pentcho Valev

From Osher Doctorow

Britain was the home of Isaac Newton, Michael Faraday and
Paul Dirac, and Brits made world-class contributions to >understanding
gravity, quantum physics and electromagnetism - and yet the British
physicist is now facing extinction.