Considering the close link between family attitudes about science and student performance, it is especially troubling that it has become increasingly acceptable in public dialogue, particularly in the "professional/executive" class, to be antiscience. This change is noticeable by watching the changing public expressions of U.S. politicians, who stake their careers on reflecting public sentiment back to voters. Public statements that would have ended a political career in shame and embarrassment a generation ago now may even bolster a sagging campaign. This was available to witness during the 2012 Republican presidential primaries, where the candidates frequently stunned scientists and engineers with a seemingly endless parade of statements that can only be described as antiscience. Being gifted is not a protection against confusion nor a predictor of reason. There is a significant number of very intelligent people who are confused by their affections to the point of being antiscience. Nor is being gifted a necessary prerequisite for science. The opportunity for gifted students to excel in STEM comes from their being exposed to this "really smart method" that sifts knowledge out from emotions and common sense by relying on evidence, and from learning to incorporate it into their everyday thinking. Those who can will excel in the century of science.