Is Star Starvation Affecting Public Priorites?

Driving down FL-528 tonight, I was looking down the long and creepy highway when I noticed some lights ahead.  It took an embarassingly long length of time to realize that they were stars.  You see, around New York City, you rarely see stars. And when you do, it's just one or two; not a field across the sky. 

It makes you wonder:  do people who live in places where they can't see the stars more or less supportive of exploring them?  Are the possibilities less real, the curiosity less present, when space is most often seen on TV instead of the backyard?  Someone ought to do a poll and see if light pollution is subtly influencing public priorities.  What's your guess?