Scientists Sound Bites

PZ Meyer, disagrees with the critique of the scientific community.

Scientists CAN TALK. And talk purty to.

Abbie makes an excellent point on it the ongoing discussion of the Nisbet/Mooney paper: just how often do scientists get an opportunity to discuss their work to the public, anyway?

I have a few simple points to make.

1. Why are scientists being told so often that they're bad at communicating? Because, like, we aren't. Most scientists are awesome at communicating, just not on the terms dictated by Fox News.

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2. Blame the media. Slamming the scientists is the wrong thing to do when the flaws are obvious and elsewhere.

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A perfect example: the recent Anderson Cooper show that purported to be discussing the role of religion and science. What did we get? Ten minutes of animatronic dinosaurs, Ken Ham babbling, home schooling moms explaining that evolution is bunk, and the one token scientist gets two sentences. What if instead, he'd been given 5 minutes and the opportunity to explain why his favorite mammal fossil was important, and how it supported evolution? I guarantee you that it would be informative, interesting television in which the audience might have learned something that would make them think. But no…cue the Fred and Wilma Flintstone Memorial Museum and the lying con man who will promise you eternal life, if only you really believe Jesus created the earth in 4004 BC.

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Look at the rest of the list and consider. Some simpler talk is good. But people should take the time to listen to and take in bigger and more complicated ideas. And these academics are ready and waiting to share.

Have you given a professor a hug lately?