I t seems that Kansas Board of Education member Kathy Martin still is missing the point.

Questioned about the impact the state’s effort to de-emphasize the teaching of evolution in public schools might have on the image of Kansas and its state universities, here’s what the conservative board member had to say: “I feel most people could probably care less. I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal except in certain circles.”

Martin may be right. The problem is that the “certain circles” in which the evolution debate is a big deal include academic and education circles. Universities are judged by their peers, and, to those academic peers, a state school board taking actions they view as anti-science is a huge red flag.

Perhaps Martin has never heard the saying “perception is reality.” It’s apparent that many academic and business people already perceive Kansas as a backward state that is unfriendly to scientific ventures. As that unfriendly attitude influences individuals and businesses to pursue their studies and ventures elsewhere, Kansas as a poor place to do science will become a reality.

And that, Ms. Martin, is a very big deal.