Don't be so Cerebral

Timothy Brown & Will Weeks

September 12, 2012

Assignment # 2

Don’t be so Cerebral

            “A potentially paradigm-shifting work, for the communicating of science, calling for a new appreciation and focus not just on maintaining scientific accuracy, but also on the equally important need to hold the interest of the public.”⁽¹⁾ This praising review by Chris Mooney is in reference to the Book Don’t be such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style written by Randy Olson. Although the title may suggest a negative outlook towards scientists, Randy Olsen  is actually calling for scientists to stray away from a cerebral mindset by hitting many key points in his book on ways to help scientists communicate. In addition, this book has the potential to be a summer reader due to the fact that Olson is very supportive of his scientific engaging theme.

            Indifferences between science and the public are the main foundation of this science communication text. Throughout most of the book Olson refers to how scientists only communicate with facts straight from the brain thus resulting in an uninterested public. Olson further explains that scientists often forget who their audience is, and therefore use scientific language that is unfamiliar. He then goes on to suggest that scientists need to communicate in the ways a movie actor would, by implementing other ‘voice organs’ such as the heart, gut, and sex organs. Randy Olson, once an esteemed marine biologist, pursued a degree in filmmaking. During his film -making career, Olsen realized that filmmakers were focused on portraying their message to viewers, where as scientists were not as concerned with confirming that their message had gotten across. He also discovered that filmmakers capture their audience’s attention with heartfelt emotion, gut- turning humor, and awkward sex analogies, and in turn he used these strategies on his own films about science. Although a science related film may lose accuracy when using Olsen’s method, Olson was still able to inspire others to appreciate science in new ways. As Olson allows us into the shoes of a movie director producing a science related film, we are given numerous tips on how to create a bestselling blockbuster. These tips include, being less cerebral, less literal minded, better story tellers, and more likeable all while striving to be the voice of science.

            Within that first summer before starting college, life is full of excitement up until your professor assigns that summer reader. Despite dreading that first assignment this book, Don’t be Such a Scientist, would have actually been a somewhat pleasurable summer reader. This text, while discussing an assumed boring topic, actually became interesting as we were drowned in great stories proving that science needs to be communicated. Our attention is quickly grabbed through the directing role-play and fulfilled with the desire to communicate science in a more audience friendly way, given we pursue that career path. This book offers a great insight to the cultural indifference of science versus public while keeping the attention of its reader throughout. For these reasons, professors looking for a science communication related text should definitely consider this book because although it doesn’t explain the reasons for indifference, it offers solutions, which makes for a better introduction to any course.

            In comparison to Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens our Future, co-authored by Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum. When comparing the two texts, Randy Olson does a better job at providing solutions for the disconnect between science and the public, while Chris and Sheril only seem to focus on the reasons for the disconnect. Although history and causes are important, solutions are even better. Although both texts are important, Don’t be Such a Scientist is much more engaging and fulfilling by offering solutions and giving the readers a futuristic outlook rather than sticking in the present or past. We certainly feel that Randy Olson’s book is far more exciting and informative that of Unscientific America for that reason.

            Science may not always be interesting, understandable, or agreed upon, yet even during those moments Randy Olson has established a modern way to help counteract this dislike. Through his movies featuring science topics he has offered a great tactic against cultural indifferences as he breaks the barriers of communication. Throughout his book, he is intensely supportive of breaking this barrier and restoring science into the publics mind. We certainly feel led to help support his cause after reading this book for science is matter in which cannot be ignored.

Bibliography

           

1.     Olson, Randy. Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style.

Washington, DC: Island, 2009. Print.