Comments on The Eternal Universe: Shameless Self-Promotion: Read Me in the APS News...

Nick, Thanks and here is an article in The New Yo...

2011-10-20T13:05:58.053-07:00

Nick,

Thanks and here is an article in The New Yorker that deals in many of our (science) realms but is focused on finance - esoteric finance of trading options to make money and hit a homerun. Link: http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2002/04/22/020422fa_fact_gladwell

The title of the article is Blowing Up.

You're absolutely right and I think you hit th...

2011-10-20T11:46:59.556-07:00

You're absolutely right and I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned the training that scientists and engineers receive affecting their ability to engage the public. A lot of it comes down to language. We are taught to use precise, technical language that sacrifices clarity and effect for accuracy.

The NRC grad school rankings are a perfect example - they are far more comprehensive and well-researched than those produced by U.S. News, but the U.S. News rankings are so much more accessible in format and language that almost no one without a Ph.D. pays any attention to the NRC's rankings.

Great comment Nick! You're absolutely right t...

2011-10-20T08:32:26.910-07:00

Great comment Nick! You're absolutely right that it is so important for us to reach out to the general public and help people understand why we spend so much money on things like the LHC and the JWST and why it helps all of us so much that we do so. Almost no one today will argue that the space race wasn't worth it. Sometimes we just need some help seeing today's projects from the same perspective.

NN, I appreciate your post and especially becomin...

2011-10-20T05:54:23.763-07:00

NN,

I appreciate your post and especially becoming politically active.

I have a few observations: scientists and engineers need to get involved in the society as a whole, not just for preserving funding. Learn the art of compromise and bluffs and hot air. I know this is against the indoctrination of science, especially deterministic methods (QL42 might be happy!).

Most lawyers, accountants and business persons are in routine and extensive contact with each others. Most scientists are either in basement labs, or in front of the screens and they will work for peanuts.

Awesome Nick! Congratulations. And I agree. We ...

2011-10-19T15:42:07.401-07:00

Awesome Nick! Congratulations. And I agree. We need to do less finger pointing at politicians and spend more time strengthening our case.