I agree that we need more stories about scientists, but I offer we need more stories about real scientists. What we do, how we work and how we relate needs to be seen and better understood. I really wish the journalistic world would look at this rather than solely focusing on big-name, and high intensity "talking heads". First, while people like Peter Hotez, Fauci, and Jha are incredibly knowledgeable and bring a lot to the party, they immediately become lightning rods for their views. Second, hearing from scientists down the ranks who would, generally, promote the results of real-life work would increase the number and diversity of opinions in support of "following the science". Some of us labored in relative obscurity, save within our own organizations, during the early years of the COVID Pandemic. I don't need or want widespread attention... I fear the polarization and potential for public threats colleagues have endured (and some less public but very real threats I've endured) and their impact on my family... but I'm willing to contribute to the notion that there's strength in numbers when we try to spread solid, very real information to the public.
Ada Lovelace Day is largely about telling women's stories, and I think the more short biographies we can get out there, the better. But I don't think that is enough on its own. We also need to do better in the book/TV/film world as well because, let's face it, that's an incredibly powerful way to reach vast numbers of people and help them rethink their assumptions about scientists and how science works.
I'm working on Fieldwork, a short comedy film about ecologists working in the field, which is supported by the University of York and the University of Edinburgh. I'm interviewing ecologists to get a feel for what their work is really like and then will begin the process of drafting a script. My collaborators and I are so tired of the stereotypes about scientists and science, so this is our little way of fighting back.
I agree that we need more stories about scientists, but I offer we need more stories about real scientists. What we do, how we work and how we relate needs to be seen and better understood. I really wish the journalistic world would look at this rather than solely focusing on big-name, and high intensity "talking heads". First, while people like Peter Hotez, Fauci, and Jha are incredibly knowledgeable and bring a lot to the party, they immediately become lightning rods for their views. Second, hearing from scientists down the ranks who would, generally, promote the results of real-life work would increase the number and diversity of opinions in support of "following the science". Some of us labored in relative obscurity, save within our own organizations, during the early years of the COVID Pandemic. I don't need or want widespread attention... I fear the polarization and potential for public threats colleagues have endured (and some less public but very real threats I've endured) and their impact on my family... but I'm willing to contribute to the notion that there's strength in numbers when we try to spread solid, very real information to the public.
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Ada Lovelace Day is largely about telling women's stories, and I think the more short biographies we can get out there, the better. But I don't think that is enough on its own. We also need to do better in the book/TV/film world as well because, let's face it, that's an incredibly powerful way to reach vast numbers of people and help them rethink their assumptions about scientists and how science works.
I'm working on Fieldwork, a short comedy film about ecologists working in the field, which is supported by the University of York and the University of Edinburgh. I'm interviewing ecologists to get a feel for what their work is really like and then will begin the process of drafting a script. My collaborators and I are so tired of the stereotypes about scientists and science, so this is our little way of fighting back.
I'm documenting progress on my other Substack at: https://wordcounting.substack.com/s/fieldwork
This sounds amazing! The ecologists I know are so dedicated to their subject and such amazing people. I look forward to this film!
Thank you!! I'm still having conversations for background and would love to talk to your ecologist friends, if they'd be interested. Details are here: https://wordcounting.substack.com/p/seeking-ecologists-with-a-fieldworkfail
hey there Holden 🙏🏼
i just subscribed to Science Forever...
and i'm looking forward to more, real stories.