Discussion around the Today Programme on Radio 4 talking about dumbing down science in response to this piece in New Scientist by Kathy Sykes.
Includes audio.
why scientists often don’t like media scientists
Comments
(4 Responses)
Recent comments
- Rachel said:"that was brilliant! can’t stop laughing xx"
- louise said:"I submitted the application form but forgot to fill in one of the questions. The question had a red..."
- shawn said:"Got this! amazing show! wish i could go again! even though iv already seen it !! Shame he didnt come out..."
- Eve Tomkinson said:"I applied a while ago and now I’m regretting it! Just watched the episode of trick or..."
- Tamsin said:"Just applied. So excited for the new show
" - Fekidu said:"I so hope it will be filmed so that those of us fans from abroad get to see the show as well. I..."
Categories
Archives
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- September 2008
© Derren Brown 2005 - 2012. All rights reserved. No work may be reproduced elsewhere without prior consent.
media scientists quite often include scientists … they’re a bit .. erm .. schizo so to speak .. or media is dumb .. or people want to be told stories .. not hard cold facts .. as then the urge to read or buy will no longer be there .. As soon as someone does have a title like prof .. media likes to think that they can ask these people questions about any area (so also if this prof does not know anything about that particular topic). As if prof means that they know it all …. which, believe me (working with them on a daily bases), is not the case.
Our scientists love media scientists … dollar signs in the eyes …
Oh well .. it’s best to read any piece from someone who calls him/herself a scientist with a clear mind .. dont trust the scientist .. keep reasoning yourself .. unless you prefer not to do so ofcourse .. and hey, if he/she writes something that could have been taken from your own mind .. then it is always true ofcourse .. those are the more smart and intelligent pieces … ehehe ..
I admit I am one of the neglected science nerds that Ben Goldacre talks about. (Degree in Physics & Astronomy but now working in a school office). I would love to see more high quality challenging science programmes on tv, and on the mainstream channels too, where they may get noticed, rather than hidden away so you actively have to seek them out. All branches of science need more coverage – there is just so much to discover and learn.
@KatM – I aspire to reach your high levels of nerdism (nerdality? hmm) as I’m studying physics with the OU at the moment. Done a bit of astronomy also and I will probably go further with that next year. I blinkin’ love it, quantum physics especially. There ain’t not nearly enough on telly.
I agree with Ben Goldacre’s comments but I also quite fancy Kathy Sykes.
@SSJ: if you haven’t been there yet go to http://www.galaxyzoo.org and help classify a few galaxies. A good way for any astronomy nerd to usefully while away a few hours. Don’t let it distract you from the study though