tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39092849355891565392024-02-08T06:12:13.328-08:00Science + AmericaCarlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408791124690943301noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909284935589156539.post-85176073144785489202009-07-16T20:18:00.000-07:002009-07-16T20:23:37.188-07:00Introductions, Introductions...<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SD27UcFj0HE&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SD27UcFj0HE&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="en-US">This cartoon, by political cartoonist Mark Fiore, presents a view on the interaction between scientist and non-scientist that I find frightening. Yes, it's pointedly about global warming, but put in “stem-cell research” or “genetic engineering” and you'd still get a cartoon where the scientist exasperatedly tries to use evidence and research to explain a point to a stubborn caveman. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-US"> As a biologist, I find it easy to agree with Fiore. After all, how many times have I tried to explain my opinion on, say, the origin of man and was met with what I perceived as self-inflicted ignorance? It's a view that I think many scientists stumble upon, the idea that the general non-scientific public refuses to listen to us because scientists are perceived as “hoaxsters” trying to flame a panic or, even worse, some sort of pessimistic and emotionless heathen. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-US"> This blog, through my probably amateurish attempts at journalism, will seek to explore the gap that exists between scientists and the public. It's a gap that I've been running into recently as I find myself separated from my home at UC Berkeley, a venerable scientific institution (read: bubble). It's a gap that has resulted in people turning away when I tell them that I study biology, that I make decisions based on empirical data as often as possible, that I think global warming is real, and that I think the world is about 4 billion years old. It's a gap, most I importantly, that I don't want to exist. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-US"> My name is Carly. I'm twenty-one years old and a senior at UC Berkeley studying integrative biology and studio art (for those of you who are wondering, <i>yes </i><span style="font-style: normal;">it's an interesting combination-every one seems to says that). My growing specialties are paleontology, parasitology and biological illustration and history. I say growing because I'm young and, I'll say this now and try not to dwell on it too often, new to this. I am new (relatively) to biology, I am new to the realization of the disparity between scientist and non-scientist, and (most importantly), I am new to journalism and blog-keeping in general. I'll accept criticism and learn from it whenever possible. </span> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" lang="en-US"><span style="font-style: normal;"> As a biologist, I realize that I'm keen to explore the overly-beaten horse of creationism vs evolution vs intelligent design debate, but I want this blog to be about all realms of science in America, so I'll try to explore physics, chemistry, engineering, and other fields. Why America? Because it's where I live. Because it's where I will (most likely) work. Because the decisions people make here will affect my life and scientific practice. I have reason to care. I encourage you to as well. </span> </p>Carlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408791124690943301noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3909284935589156539.post-59509988985490037402009-06-30T19:29:00.001-07:002009-06-30T19:29:49.667-07:00TestCarlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408791124690943301noreply@blogger.com2