Why do we need science writers, Why do we need science writers, and how can I become oneand how can I become one

(or avoid needing one) ?(or avoid needing one) ?

Mike CarlowiczMike CarlowiczScience Writer and EditorScience Writer and EditorWHOI Communications – WHOI Communications –

OceanusOceanus magazine and www.WHOI.edu magazine and www.WHOI.edu

Where do science writers work?Where do science writers work?

Newspapers and TV news (extremely rare Newspapers and TV news (extremely rare and endangered species)and endangered species)Magazines and web sitesMagazines and web sitesDocumentary producersDocumentary producersFreelancesFreelancesInstitutional writers – government labs, Institutional writers – government labs, institutions, professional associations, institutions, professional associations, advocacy groupsadvocacy groupsSome of them are scientists…Some of them are scientists…

Writing about science is a specialty…and a rarity…

How do science writers do their jobs?How do science writers do their jobs?

Read, read, readRead, read, read

Learn how to read Learn how to read science journalsscience journals

Attend science Attend science meetings and lecturesmeetings and lectures

InterviewsInterviews

Observe field/lab workObserve field/lab work

Ask lots of dumb Ask lots of dumb questions (humility is a questions (humility is a critical job trait)critical job trait)

Science writers: Biology analogyScience writers: Biology analogy

Parasitism – one party sucks the life out of Parasitism – one party sucks the life out of the other, to their mutual demisethe other, to their mutual demise

Commensalism – one party benefits; the Commensalism – one party benefits; the other is not harmedother is not harmed

Symbiosis – mutually beneficial, Symbiosis – mutually beneficial, interactive relationshipinteractive relationship

Why should you care about Why should you care about communicating science?communicating science?

Pew Research Center -- 20% of Americans Pew Research Center -- 20% of Americans enjoyed stories about science and technologyenjoyed stories about science and technology (Science beat religion, politics, international affairs, (Science beat religion, politics, international affairs, entertainment, consumer news, business and finance, entertainment, consumer news, business and finance, famous people, and culture/arts) famous people, and culture/arts)

Gannett Co. found that 75% of readers were Gannett Co. found that 75% of readers were "somewhat" to "very interested" in science "somewhat" to "very interested" in science NSF “Science & Engineering Indicators:NSF “Science & Engineering Indicators:– 72% say benefits of science outweigh harm72% say benefits of science outweigh harm– Only 9% consider themselves science literateOnly 9% consider themselves science literate

““The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything… The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything… except what is worth knowing.” -- Oscar Wildeexcept what is worth knowing.” -- Oscar Wilde

Why should you care? (pt. 2)Why should you care? (pt. 2) You need to inform and inspire colleaguesYou need to inform and inspire colleagues Organizing your ideas – writing is thinkingOrganizing your ideas – writing is thinking It is in your own interest:It is in your own interest:

– Much of your time will be spent writing proposalsMuch of your time will be spent writing proposals– Funding is tougher to get than at any time since Sputnik Funding is tougher to get than at any time since Sputnik – You are beneficiaries of patronage systemYou are beneficiaries of patronage system

It is fun, gratifying...It is fun, gratifying... Science literacy is vital to democracy -- public Science literacy is vital to democracy -- public ignorance will be ignorance will be youryour problem problem You have a moral responsibility to share what You have a moral responsibility to share what others may never see or experienceothers may never see or experience

Science writers: Science writers: The baseball analogyThe baseball analogy

Player – hitter and fielderPlayer – hitter and fielder CoachCoach

Relief pitcher / “closer”Relief pitcher / “closer” Designated hitter/pinch hitterDesignated hitter/pinch hitter

"Analogies prove nothing, but they can make one feel more at home.” -- Sigmund Freud

What should a science What should a science communicator do?communicator do?

Tell a story that is true...Tell a story that is true...

Tell a story the audience can relate toTell a story the audience can relate to

Tell a story that has human interest...Tell a story that has human interest...

Tell a story in the language of childrenTell a story in the language of children

Tell a compelling story...Tell a compelling story...

How do you tell stories? Drama, detail, characters, climax… Relevance to quality of lifeRelevance to quality of life Science/exploration is a human storyScience/exploration is a human story Don’t forget that science/nature is “wonder”-full, Don’t forget that science/nature is “wonder”-full, fun – don’t lose that childlike curiosity that got you fun – don’t lose that childlike curiosity that got you into scienceinto science

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"That's the whole problem with science… You've got "That's the whole problem with science… You've got a bunch of empiricists trying to describe things of a bunch of empiricists trying to describe things of

unimaginable wonder.” -- Calvin (& Hobbes)unimaginable wonder.” -- Calvin (& Hobbes)

"If the scientist is not willing to "If the scientist is not willing to take the time to work with the take the time to work with the journalist, then that scientist journalist, then that scientist has no right to complain later has no right to complain later

about the content.” about the content.”

-- Boyce Rensberger, -- Boyce Rensberger,

The Washington Post (now head of The Washington Post (now head of Knight Science Journalism Fellowships)Knight Science Journalism Fellowships)

Tell a story they can understandTell a story they can understand

"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.”"Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.”

-- Will Rogers-- Will Rogers

• Public has a child-like curiosity and awe of science...• It also has a childish level of understanding

-- 27% don’t know Earth revolves around Sun-- 75% don’t know why it is warmer in summer

• Reporters, editors (and readers) need simplicity, and they need a reason to care• Before you talk, remember: what did you know of ocean science before you studied it in college?

How do I become a science writer?

• Science degree• Liberal arts degree• Be a professional / lifelong student

The key is to write, write, write – it requires practice just like the cello, the marathon, the watercolor, or the curveball

“I don’t like to write; I like having written.” – William Zinsser

Selected ReadingSelected Reading

Blum, Deborah, and Mary Knudson: Blum, Deborah, and Mary Knudson: A Field Guide for A Field Guide for Science WritersScience Writers, Oxford University Press, Oxford University Press Chappell, Richard, and Jim Hartz: Chappell, Richard, and Jim Hartz: Worlds Apart: How the Worlds Apart: How the Distance Between Science and Journalism Threatens Distance Between Science and Journalism Threatens America’s FutureAmerica’s Future, The Freedom Forum, 1998, The Freedom Forum, 1998 National Association of Science Writers:National Association of Science Writers: Communicating Communicating Science News: A Guide for Public Information Officers, Science News: A Guide for Public Information Officers, Scientists, and PhysiciansScientists, and Physicians National Science Foundation: National Science Foundation: Science and Engineering Science and Engineering IndicatorsIndicators National Research Council: National Research Council: National Science Education National Science Education StandardsStandards