This cartoon is directly about something we discuss in class.
Scientists often have an ambivalent relationship with reporters. On the one hand, media attention can be important to a scientists. The exposure can bring interest from granting agencies, private donors, and other scientists working is similar fields. Additionally, popular articles on one's research can be used to justify the importance of one's work to these aforementioned groups. On the other hand, however, reporters can misinterpret or cherry-pick scientific results in order to promote (intentionally or not) their own agenda or they can uncritically report scientific results and communicate a false sense of certainty in scientific claims. Both of these drawbacks are assisted when a reporter does not give some insight into the reasoning from evidence that a scientist does in order to produce results.
Note that the scientist and reporter in the cartoon are seemingly taking part in the traditional or classic model of scientific communication. The scientist seems content to let the reporter do the work of mass communication, even though something will be lost in the translation.
Anyway, check out the comic for other science-themed strips.
PartiallyClips - A Webcomic for Grownups
Scientists often have an ambivalent relationship with reporters. On the one hand, media attention can be important to a scientists. The exposure can bring interest from granting agencies, private donors, and other scientists working is similar fields. Additionally, popular articles on one's research can be used to justify the importance of one's work to these aforementioned groups. On the other hand, however, reporters can misinterpret or cherry-pick scientific results in order to promote (intentionally or not) their own agenda or they can uncritically report scientific results and communicate a false sense of certainty in scientific claims. Both of these drawbacks are assisted when a reporter does not give some insight into the reasoning from evidence that a scientist does in order to produce results.
Note that the scientist and reporter in the cartoon are seemingly taking part in the traditional or classic model of scientific communication. The scientist seems content to let the reporter do the work of mass communication, even though something will be lost in the translation.
Anyway, check out the comic for other science-themed strips.
PartiallyClips - A Webcomic for Grownups
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