Does aggressive science coverage help science? Or does it hinder science by providing ammunition to the science denial movement? Four prominent science journalists discussed that issue and others at April's NASW-sponsored "Science Writing in the Age of Denial" conference. The panel concluded that questions about the conflicts and context of science stories are where journalists can succeed in the new media environment. From the Summer 2012 ScienceWriters.
Science writing news
Registration for ScienceWriters2012 is open now at sciencewriters2012.org. An early-bird discount is available until September 14. Registration closes on October 10.
Curiosity's landing on Mars was perfection. Early photos, including the first Mars panorama. Chemistry and geology on Mars. Diabetes blogger sues the state. Which Paleo diet is right for H. sap? The Obesity Paradox: Why do fat diabetics live longer? Zoom through the 3-D universe and blow your mind.
The key to countering science denial through journalism is to tell a good story. That's the view of Sean Carroll, a University of Wisconsin-Madison geneticist and vice president for science education at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, who spoke at April's NASW-sponsored "Science Writing in the Age of Denial" conference. Carroll discussed narrative theory’s relationship to cognitive psychology. From the Summer 2012 ScienceWriters.
Arthur Lupia, political science professor at the University of Michigan, thinks there's a reason why journalism so often fails to connect with its audience. It's because journalists focus too much on transmitting information and not enough on understanding their audience's starting point. He spoke at April's NASW-sponsored "Science Writing in the Age of Denial" conference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From the Summer 2012 ScienceWriters.
The 2012 Olympics begins today in London, as the 19th International AIDS Conference concludes in Washington. The science and medicine of the Olympics, from brain to brawn: mental prep, swimming, pseudoscience, air pollution, the medal metals, comparing athletes with spectators, and more. Apps for keeping up with the games: iPhone, Android, tablets, TV, and maybe Twitter, which is having trouble staying up. Bone marrow transplants may have cured two more HIV infections. Getting antiviral drugs
UPDATED 11:37 7/21/2012, It's FDA Week! But not in a good way. FDA was revealed to have spied extensively on its scientists and also science journalists and politicians. The agency counterpunched by approving high-profile drugs for preventing HIV infection and promoting weight loss and treating myeloma and breast cancer.. It also banned BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups although there is no BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups.
“A zebra’s stripes may protect it from blood-sucking insects.” May I say that in an article aimed at second graders? That wouldn’t be appropriate. “Protect” and “insect” are words that fourth graders understand, but not those in lower grades. From the Spring 2012 ScienceWriters.
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