I know what you are saying, and believe me, my comments were not aimed directly at you.

Part of me is concerned about the public not "getting" science, but I also take the view of, if they aren't interested, trying to make them like it will only have a negative backlash. Of course much of the reason many people aren't into science is that it has been so poorly presented in our so-called educational system - but what are you going to do, chase everybody down and give them a decent science education?

I think if the institutions can at least have some kind of public area explaining what they do, etc., that could at least a good start while allowing the astronomers to do their serious work.

An idea: Can local amateur astronomers who are good with telescopes and observing be utilized to show the public the sky's highlights? I can tell you from experience that for those who have never looked through a telescope before, just seeing the Moon can be an awakening event. Of course then you also need amateurs who are not only good at what they do but can also relate to people and explain things to them. Sadly those two talents do not often go hand-in-hand.

Are the Sidewalk Astronomers of San Francisco still doing their thing?

I know you can't catch everyone to wake up to science and the wider world; sometimes all it takes is grabbing the right ones who will make a difference and a real contribution to the sciences.