Alex WildJul 18, 2023

The challenge faced by science in the United States isn’t that scientists are awkward and bad at communication. It’s that we’re beset by propaganda and mass media channels funded by corrupt billionaires to sow confusion.

We need big, generously funded communications channels dedicated to verifiable reality. Scientists who are slightly better at talking isn’t going to cut it.

Show threadRich Stein (he/him)Jul 18, 2023

@alexwild
Science is challenged by the high turnover 24/7 news cycle, too many people looking for "simple" (< 500 characters), stable (i.e., unchanging) explanations for complex subjects, & communications channels/media outlets engaged in the Gish gallop (because they're looking to attract eyeballs? b/c they're actively engaged in disinformation campaigns? b/c the quality of reporting has deteriorated over time? IDK)

I was unfamiliar with that last term until @mackayim2022 used it in a thread.

Show threadIan M. Mackay, PhD (he/him)
@RichStein @alexwild Scientists *are* also often awkward and bad at communication. I think a little worse than the average in the wider community. Which is itself, bad at communication.
Jul 18, 2023 at 1:55amElk
Show threadPēteris KrišjānisJul 18, 2023
@mackayim2022 @RichStein @alexwild everyone is fricking bad at it. I always get alarmed when someone IS. Either they are tots people person, just natural charisma and training, or they are sociopath sales person.
Show threadRich Stein (he/him)Jul 18, 2023
@mackayim2022 @alexwild
Ditto the last point, esp.