What is and isn’t science?

When some people’s world view or vested interest is challenged by a scientific concept they seek to undermine it with a play on words that sways many of the less scientifically literate swinging voters. ‘It’s only a theory, isn’t it?’ places climate change science and evolution on a par with idle speculation and pseudoscience.

One of the things ASC can contribute to ongoing debates about the validity and role of scientific information is to develop various ways of explaining what science is and what it isn’t to suit different audiences and uses.

If you have any good answers or references to ‘What is science?’ and ‘What isn’t science?’ please send them to me. I know there are some good papers that address this topic but wouldn’t it also be good to have a one-liner or two ready to destroy a doubter’s argument? OK, it may need to be a short paragraph with additional cleverly worded information if needed; remember we’re seeking a range of styles of answers for different purposes. No research papers please, unless they would make effective interview material on the Colbert Report.

We’ll have a group of people collate and assess the replies and put the best ones on our website. Then we will seek to promote them far and wide. I’m not promising prizes for the best contributions (not yet anyway) nor can I guarantee your name in lights but there may be some sort of acknowledgement available.

There is no deadline for this as it will be a work in progress for some time. But I ask you to get the ball rolling now by sending me any goodies you have to hand.

I feel this could become an email-athon (is there such a thing?). “Our science assessors are on-line to take your contributions now.”

Have a scientifically wonderful day.

Regards,

Jesse Shore

President, Australian Science Communicators, 2010

http://www.asc.asn.au/

Jesse Shore PhD Science Communicator P: (02) 9810 2328 M: 0415 841 276 E: jesse@prismaticsciences.com W: http://www.prismaticsciences.com/ www.prismaticsciences.com

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About Jesse Shore

Jesse Shore is passionate about engaging the community with science and in looking for ways to weave together the arts and sciences. He has been developing science based exhibitions and events since 1984, and was President of the Australian Science Communicators from 2010-2012. His business, Prismatic Sciences, produced five travelling exhibitions for the Royal Australian Chemical Institute for the 2011 International Year of Chemistry and he manages the ongoing national tour. He previously worked at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney as an exhibition project leader and Senior Curator of sciences. While at the museum he was one of the founders of the Ultimo Science Festival, a major National Science Week activity. He is currently collaborating with an artist to create artworks which have a science slant.

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