Dear all, These questions are ones I'm most interested in, and I am currently working on an online environmental education forum that addresses these very questions (specifically, how to get regular people to care about environmental issues). I would be happy to explain more to anyone interested. My quick feelings on the general subject:
Many scientists try to make their findings available to the public, but they largely fail in doing so. Why? Because they mostly publish in scientific journals, and when they do approach the real public they don't know how to leave scientific jargon behind and speak in "normal speak." They (we) don't know how to filter what is interesting to the average person, from what is only interesting to us. For example, the public is most likely interested in hearing about what type of fats are unhealthy for them to eat, but the terms "trans- and cis- conformations, enzyme specificity," is way over their heads. And, most people are mainly interested in things that affect them personally (which is understandable). As scientists, I think it is our job to learn how to translate (i.e., dumb down, filter, and make interesting) the most relevant scientific information to the public, especially if it information that would help improve peoples' lives, the environment, etc. Regarding the scientific method, I think it's important for people to understand the basics, because then they will understand how scientists reach the conclusions we reach. But, does the average person need to know what a null hypothesis is? Probably not. That's my two cents anyways, Thanks for the discussion! Alison > > > > > On Thu, Apr 7, 2011 at 1:17 AM, Laura S. <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Dear all: >> >> I am interested in your thoughts. If needed, I can elaborate more on these >> questions. >> >> Are scientists making scientific findings readily accessible to the >> general >> public? >> >> What can scientists do to improve dissemination of scientific information >> to >> the general public? >> >> Do scientists need to be involved in teaching the public about the >> scientific method? >> >> Thank you, >> Laura >> >> ______________________________________ >> >> Alison J. Lipman, Ph.D. Ecology >> Founder / President >> SELVA International <http://selvainternational.org/> >> Conservation done right. >> >> >> *SELVA is offering an exclusive travel package to the Amazon that >> supports endangered species conservation. Join us in September 2011! Learn >> more here <http://selvainternational.org/>.* >> Follow SELVA on >> <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/Selva-International/23652767907?ref=sgm> >> Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/Selva-International/23652767907?ref=sgm> >> <http://twitter.com/SELVAnews?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=SELVAnews&utm_content=26315651356&ref=nf> >> Twitter<http://twitter.com/SELVAnews?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=SELVAnews&utm_content=26315651356&ref=nf> >> >> >> >
