Four science journalists — Carl Zimmer, Robert Lee Hotz, Paula Apsell, and David Baron — spoke at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) annual meeting in the "Engaging with Journalists" session. A report by NASW member David Levine, co-chairman of Science Writers in New York. From the Spring 2014 ScienceWriters.
Science writing news
Paige Brown responds to a recent Neil DeGrasse Tyson interview with Miles O'Brien in which Tyson objected to journalists who state their opinions: "Why would you or I want to hear the news of a space shuttle launch from O'Brien's perspective over that of any other science journalist? Precisely because of his extensive experience, his ability to put the report in historical context, and his ability to give us informed opinions about the launch because of his experience."
Brenda Goodman discusses the recent MRI study of the brains of 20 marijuana smokers and wonders why scientists often insert caveats into their studies, only to abandon them at other times, such as when talking to reporters writing stories about their work: "Presumably, the same person who adds these cool-headed cautions in the study text is the one you’re talking to when they tell you that based on their study, it certainly looks like pot smoking changes the brain."
Walter Frick interviews Jim Tankersley of the Washington Post on why neither data nor narrative is sufficient for producing great journalism: "I can get a lot from one great visual chart … and I can get a lot out of a story about someone like me doing something that is interesting to me. But I think that when you bring them all together what you get is this experience where people have a process of discovery for themselves which I think is important for learning."
Maria Popova celebrates the Victorian journalist's New York World series on mental health care, which she investigated first-hand by feigning insanity and getting committed to an asylum: "The further down the rabbit hole of mental health care Bly tumbled, as she successfully fooled the authorities into pronouncing her insane, the more keenly aware she became of the degree of darkness that enveloped those 'poor unfortunates' who entered the system against their will."
The National Institutes of Health is going to require a sex-ratio balance in animal studies, and Tabitha M. Powledge explains what that means: "Even some researchers who thoroughly approve of organizing a piece of research so that it's possible to sort out any effects that differ by sex have been made gloomy by this announcement." Also, Nate Silver's fivethirtyeight.com trips again; bats, camels and MERS; and a new book on the genetics of race.
Faith Goumas on the Public Relations Society of America web site has a roundup of writing tips for success in the PR business. They include five "little" ways to tighten your writing, and a full-out attack on the jargon beast: "'Landmark,' 'revolutionary,' 'groundbreaking,' and 'breakthrough' top the list of words to eliminate from your content. Phrases such as 'cutting edge,' 'best of breed' and 'world-renowned' also serve as 'timeless examples' on the list of jargon."
Derek Thompson has some highlights from an Indiana University survey of more than 1,000 journalists who were asked about the state of their trade. The results are downright depressing: Almost three in five say journalism is heading in the wrong direction. Less than one-quarter say they are "very satisfied" with their jobs. They're well educated, but — especially women — not very well paid. More from Romenesko, who notes a drop in minorities.
The latest study on resveratrol — the substance that allegedly makes red wine a health food — led Virginia Hughes to wonder about all the conflicting reports: "I suspect a general reader is not coming away from those saying, 'Gee whiz, look at the long and bumpy road to scientific progress!' They’re more likely to be saying, 'When will those scientists get their act together?'" Also, Gary Schwitzer sums up seven years of health news reviews.