Do Scientists Understand the Public?

Mab_Mass writes "The American Academy of Arts & Sciences has an interesting article on the relationship between scientists and the public. [Here's the paper itself, as a PDF.] Rather than point the finger at an 'ignorant' public, this article chastises the scientists for a poor understanding of how to communicate with non-technical people. With a look at the issues of climate change, nuclear waste disposal, genetics, and the future of the Internet, the article provides examples of how the experts in these fields are failing to present their message in a way that encourages public discussion and support."

Comments

we should study this

[Anonymous Coward]

to find out if its true.

Re:we should study this

[repetty]

Absolutely right.

Form a hypotenuse and experiment the danged thing.

What's all this subjective shit?

Re:we should study this

[ta bu shi da yu]

Perhaps after you construct a right-angled triangle you might want to form a hypothesis.

Re:we should study this

[Anachragnome]

Scientist: "we should study this to find out if its true."

Public: "Absolutely right. Form a hypotenuse and experiment the danged thing. What's all this subjective shit?"

Scientist: "Perhaps after you construct a right-angled triangle you might want to form a hypothesis."

Public: "Whooosh!"

Scientist: "I believe that was the joke ;)"

Public: "Doh!"

Re:we should study this

[Anonymous Coward]

Whooosh!

Slashdot

[chargersfan420]

the experts in these fields are failing to present their message in a way that encourages public discussion and support

Isn't that what Slashdot is for?

metric system

[yogidog98]

and what's with this metric system. Why can't scientists use standard measurements like football fields, ping-pong balls, "around the Earth," and "to the moon and back," like our brilliant news media?

Re:metric system

[Locke2005]

I don't know about you, but the speedometer on my car is calibrated in furlongs per fortnight!

Well...

[DoofusOfDeath]

Do Scientists Understand the Public?

It's not really that simple. They construct models of the public, which can be disproven by counter-example, but never proven.

This approach is being questioned, however, as the scientific community is growing increasingly discontent with not getting laid.

Solution is breast implants

[Junior J. Junior III]

Give all the scientists breast implants. The public will have no choice but to love them.

Re:Finally understand the Young Republicans

[Anonymous Coward]

From the article, "Republicans who are college graduates are considerably less likely to accept the scientific consensus on climate change than those who have received less education."

All I can say is, "Dang."

I find myself considerably less likely to accept the scientific consensus that there are Republicans who are college graduates.

Re:Einstein once said...

[PrecambrianRabbit]

I think I could probably explain SVD to a 6-year old. Of course, it would probably take 20 or so years...

Re:Einstein once said...

[steelfood]

I'm having a hard time figuring out how one would explain Special Relativity.

Have you tried using a car analogy?

whoa..backup

[zogger]

So..*with* global warming we get NYC and DC flooded into oblivion?

I am trying but cannot see any negatives here...why again are we trying to stop global warming?

Re:HALF THE POPULACE IS BELOW AVERAGE!

[Hognoxious]

You surely look unfamiliar with the concept of average.

That was bit mean.