Google
Custom Search

Monday, July 17, 2006

Thinkquote of the day: Science journalists as mere cheerleaders for science?

From the Canadian Science Writers' Association's ScienceLink, the "truly egregious sin of journalists and especially of specialist science writers," according to veteran sci jo Peter Calamai of the Star is
... we tend to be cheerleaders for science. Where in the mass media are the investigative articles about the making of a Canadian science policy by stealth or the distortion of national research priorities by giving the private sector an effective veto over co-funded projects?

Yeah really. Calamai addresses the seven sins of science writers (according to scientists) and gets us off with time served. My favorite Calamai quote from the article, which isn't webbed, is in response to accusations that popular media don't provide their readers with scientific background knowledge:
True. Remedial education for people who didn't pay attention in Grade 6 is not our job. We have neither the space/time nor the inclination.

In my case, I'd also say I don't have any qualifications as an elementary schoolteacher.
If you like this blog, check out my book on the intelligent design controversy, By Design or by Chance?. You can read excerpts as well.

Are you looking for one of the following stories?

A summary of recent opinion columns on the ID controversy

A summary of recent polls of US public opinion on the ID controversy

A summary of the Catholic Church's entry into the controversy, essentially on the side of ID.

O'Leary's intro to non-Darwinian agnostic philosopher David Stove ?

An ID Timeline: The ID folk seem always to win when they lose.

O’Leary’s comments on Francis Beckwith, a Dembski associate, being denied tenure at Baylor.

Why origin of life is such a difficult problem.
Blog policy note:Comments are permitted on this blog, but they are moderated. Fully anonymous posts and URLs posted without comment are rarely accepted. To Mr. Anonymous: I'm not psychic, so if you won't tell me who you are, I can't guess and don't care. To Mr. Nude World (URL): If you can't be bothered telling site visitors why they should go on to your fave site next, why should I post your comment? They're all busy people, like you. To Mr. Rudesby International and Mr. Pottymouth: I also have a tendency to delete comments that are merely offensive. Go be offensive to someone who can smack you a good one upside the head. That may provide you with a needed incentive to stop and think about what you are trying to accomplish. To Mr. Righteous but Wrong: I don't publish comments that contain known or probable factual errors. There's already enough widely repeated misinformation out there, and if you don't have the time to do your homework, I don't either. To those who write to announce that at death I will either 1) disintegrate into nothingness or 2) go to Hell by a fast post, please pester someone else. I am a Catholic in communion with the Church and haven't the time for either village atheism or aimless Jesus-hollering.

Who links to me?