> -----Original Message----- > From: brin-l-boun...@mccmedia.com [mailto:brin-l-boun...@mccmedia.com] On > Behalf Of Charlie Bell > Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 5:16 PM > To: Killer Bs (David Brin et al) Discussion > Subject: Re: Galactic Effect On Biodiversity > > > It's closer to the first example you suggest than the second, but it's > part of a general trope of less-good science writing that pitches > every new minor spin on science as rewriting the whole body of theory > that is really starting to wind me up. > We need more better science writers - there aren't enough Ben > Goldacres and Carl Zimmers out there...
I think the problem is that an honest report of "scientists are excited that, after five years of hard work by an very talented team of 300 Phd physicists, another small incremental improvement in our understanding has been achieved" would sound too dull to read. I emphasize with you on this. I've been through the idea that everything we know about physics is now challenged by X, where X is a fairly minor tweak to a well established theory. Personally, the tying together of astrophysics and evolutionary biology, if it holds up, seems like a neat thing to me. But, it involves neither the rewriting of astrophysics or evolutionary biology. Even really revolutionary data, like the data that suggests dark energy, are written up in such a way that it implies that the big bang is now in question. That drives me crazy in the same way. But, at least that may lead to something truly new. This is just a minor neat thing. I think people will read/watch about science if and only if there is a good story told. Telling a good story without resorting to overstating your case is very hard. I can state things clearly and precisely, but, alas, I usually make folks eyes glaze over. Even good shows like Nova have had to dramatize what actually happens to make a story. The best do it without subtracting too much from an accurate description. Unfortunately, I fear the best are becoming less popular as drama becomes the driving force. Anyways, I honestly think I can empathize, not just sympathize with you here. :-) Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
