Talking to My Dog About Science: Why Public Communication of Science Matters and How Weblogs Can Help
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This document discusses the importance of public communication of science and how blogs can help with this effort. It notes that science literacy among the public is low. While most people support funding of science, it is not a high priority. The document argues that scientists have failed at communicating with the public. It outlines a history of scientific publication and promotion, favoring a more accessible "Galilean" style over technical "Newtonian" publications. The document advocates using blogs to help humanize scientists and promote understanding of science in an accessible way. It provides examples of successful science blogs and how they have helped spread scientific knowledge.
Talking to My Dog About Science: Why Public Communication of Science Matters and How Weblogs Can Help
- 1. Talking to My Dog About ScienceWhy Public Communication of Science Matters, and How Weblogs Can HelpI like cheeseChad Orzelhttp://scienceblogs.com/principles/
- 2. Public KnowledgeWhat’s the problem?Science literacy among public is depressingly bad(Note: Not just a US problem)NSF Science and Engineering Indicators, 2010
- 3. Public AttitudesThe general public likes science…87% support Federal funding41% favor spending more(ahead of defense, space, foreign aid)87% interested in new discoveries47% “a lot” of interest… when they notice it.only 15% follow science news “very closely”10th place– sports gets 23%, religion 16%(NSF Science & Engineering indicators 2008)
- 4. Funding ConsequencesPublic favors funding,but not a priorityThe origin of the cuts can be traced back to December 2007 when the STFC announced that it had an £80m budget deficit for the UK government's current spending round that lasts from 2008 to 2011. It is thought that the deficit emerged by an accounting mistake made when the STFC was created in April 2007 from the merger of two existing councils.
- 5. Who Should We Blame?Who caused the disconnect between science and general public?Politicians?Tempting, but no…Religion?Lots of religious scientistsTeachers?Doing the best they can…My claim: WE HAVE FAILED AT OUR JOBS AS SCIENTISTS
- 6. What Is Science?Science is a process for learning about the world:1) Look at the worldFind some interesting phenomenon to explain2) Make up a theoryDevelop a model to explain the phenomenon3) Test your theoryDesign experiments, make observations to test model4) Tell everyone about itPublication, dissemination, replication
- 7. History1) Look at the world2) Make up a theory3) Test your theory4) Tell everyone about itFirst two steps go back to antiquity Aristotle, Pythagoreans, etc.Lots of nifty ideas, many totally wrongNo systematic culture of experiment
- 8. History1) Look at the world2) Make up a theory3) Test your theory4) Tell everyone about itStep 3 becomes established in 1600’sGalileo Galilei (1564-1642)Experiments allow you to distinguish between theoriesSystematic study of mechanics, astronomy(roughly contemporary developments in medicine, etc.)
- 9. History1) Look at the world2) Make up a theory3) Test your theory4) Tell everyone about itR. HookeStep 4: Surprisingly late catching onRobert Hooke, 1676: “ceiiinossssttuv”“uttensio, sic vis” F=-kxStep 4 separates science from alchemyStand on “shoulders of giants”
- 10. Models of PublicationTwo models of approaching scientific communication:Sir Isaac Newton(1642-1727)Galileo Galilei(1564-1642)(hat-tip: Robert Krulwich, WNYC Radiolab)
- 11. Newtonian PublicationMost famous work:PhilosophiaeNaturalisPrincipia Mathematica(published 1687)Written in Latin, highly technical, highly mathematicalDeliberately difficult, “to avoid being baited by little smatterers in mathematicks”
- 12. Galileian PublicationMost famous work:Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems(published 1632)Written in vernacular, dialogue between three charactersWitty, accessible, highly readable, and persuasiveBanned, but widely read and influential
- 13. ResultsOutcomes of different publication models:NewtonMaster of the MintGalileo:The InquisitionLesson of History:Newtonian Publication Is Better For Your Career
- 14. Newton LivesSame pattern still holds todayNewtonian publication preferredHiring, promotion, prestige depend on technical publications aimed at a narrow audience of other scientistsScience, not Scientific AmericanGalileian publication discounted or ignoredEven pedagogical research doesn’t fully “count”
- 15. What to Do?Public knowledge and appreciation of science are not very goodAs scientists, we need to do a better jobEngage public interestCreate a constituency for science More Galileian approach to scienceThe opportunity (and audience) exists
- 16. What to Do?Support the people who bring science to the general public: Buy and promote science books Demand science from the media Support science education across the boardNot just hot-button issues Train and support science teachers Encourage science students in other careers Encourage good communicatorsMove beyond “Get back in the lab!” Reward outreach at tenure and promotion reviewsMake talking to the public a positiveEncourage Galileos, don’t force them to be Newtons
- 17. So You Want to Be Galileo…How do you go about communicating science to the general public?Similar to asking “How do you write a bestselling novel?”No single, foolproof methodHave to find what works for youAs many strategies as there are popularizersCan suggest some general approachesNOTE: Not about “dumbing down” or condescending to audienceWays to make real science appealing to non-scientists
- 18. Blogs“Blog” (short for “web log”)Regularly updated personal siteShort essays, pictures, links to other pages of interest“A Directory of Wonderful Things” (tag line of BoingBoing, but could serve generally)Best-known blogs deal with politics, gadgets, celebrity gossipAlso blogs about science…
- 19. Science BlogsSponsored by Seed Media Group~70 blogs>6 million views/monthAll areas of sciencehttp://scienceblogs.com/
- 20. Uncertain PrinciplesMy personal blogstarted 2002moved to SB in 2006“Physics, Politics, Pop Culture”~60,000 visits/monthhttp://scienceblogs.com/principles/
- 21. Research BloggingAggregates posts about peer- reviewed articles>1000 blogs5000 visitors/week4700 RSS subscribers1509 Twitter followershttp://www.researchblogging.org/
- 22. Checking FactsAnother useful service:Debunking bad scienceResponding to kooks, cranks, charlatansAnswer political abuse of scienceCan’t prevent posting of distorted science, but can provide correct information for the public
- 23. Humanizing of ScientistsAn underrated effect of science blogs:Baby and pet picturesTV, Books, MoviesArt and MusicPolls, “memes,” etc.Scientists are people, contrary to myth
- 24. Why Blogs?Advantages of blogging as a communications tool:Easy to doSimple web-based tools, free hosting servicesFlexible time commitment– do on “hobby” basisVery large (potential) audiencePosts available to entire worldGood writing practiceLearn to write for a wide audienceFind a “voice” that worksSpringboard for future Galileians…
- 25. What About the Dog?January, 2007:“Bunnies Made of Cheese”Imaginary conversation about QEDThe dog is standing at the window, wagging her tail excitedly. I look outside, and the back yard is empty."What are you looking at?" I ask."Bunnies made of cheese!," she says. I look again, and the yard is still empty.Dramatic Reading:(CNET Buzz Podcast, ~2min)Emmy, Queen of Niskayuna
- 26. Many Worlds, Many TreatsMay 2007:I'm sitting at the computer typing, when the dog bumps up against my legs. I look down, and she's sniffing the floor around my feet intently."What are you doing down there?“"I'm looking for steak!" she says, wagging her tail hopefully."I'm pretty certain that there's no steak down there," I say. "I've never eaten steak at the computer, and I've certainly never dropped any on the floor.“"You did in some universe," she says, still sniffing.
- 27. Bunnies Made of Cheese: The Book“Many Worlds, Many Treats” linked by BoingBoing, Digg more than 50,000 readersContacted by agent Book proposal, bought by ScribnerPopular audience book on quantum physics, mixing dogconversations with explanations for humansPublished December 22, 2009Extreme example, but illustrates general principleUse blogs to promote science produce new opportunities for outreach
- 28. Other Blog ProjectsBooks, articlesPosts re-printed in magazines, other sitesBooks: Janet Stemwedel, The Open Laboratory collections, etc.CharityDonorsChoose fundraisers, over $88,000 for educationPolls, etc.“Greatest Physics Experiment”Blog ExperimentsBlogger SAT Challenge, “Casual Fridays”More to come…
- 29. Quantum Diaries
- 30. LHC BlogsInstitutional blogs starting to appearQuantum DiariesLHC BlogsMostly high-energy physicsLearned from SSC
- 31. Physics BuzzPhysics Central blogAPS outreach programGeneral-interest physics news storiesProfessional groups starting to catch onStill more to be done
- 32. Other Suggestions1) Be Patient It’s always 101 for somebodySame questions all the time, but from different people2) Volunteer for outreach effortsSchools often happy to have outside speakers3) Learn to talk to the mediaSound bites, talking on camera, etc.
- 33. ConclusionsPublic understanding, support for science shakyFeast-or-famine funding instabilityAcademic culture does not reward public outreachTechnical, “Newtonian” publication preferredClaim: Need more outreach to build constituency for science“Galileian” publicationClaim: Web logs offer a powerful tool for public outreachTraining ground for future Galileians