Question Formation Alexander Wilson
Feb 20 2009, 12:02 AM EST
| Post edited: Feb 20 2009, 12:02 AM EST
In “Mission Accomplished,” Chris Mooney alludes to an “immovable core” of anti-intellectual Americans who avidly refute Big Bang Theory, Earth’s age, and Evolution. Mooney’s posits that scientific activism must be a people’s revolution, even during the science-friendly Obama Administration. What is the political reality of religious institutions whose large constituencies wield considerable political influence?
By Mooney’s count, 18% of the polled American public knows a scientist, and roughly half in a second survey take no living scientist role model (I would’ve named Bill Nye). If it does take iconic public figures to raise both public interest in and awareness of scientific issues, in today’s media-saturated culture, is it within our power to create a cult of personality by marketing and personable journalism? Are we doomed to await the birth of the next Einstein?
Mooney considers the blogosphere’s potential to reach public audiences, as newspaper science writing dies. However, he doubts that the most popular bloggers, idiosyncratic personalities incorporating controversial positions (mainly New Atheism vs. organized religion), can reach the wide audiences of traditional outlets. Others blogs practice bad science. Can internet blog awards sites like the one mentioned play a successful role in aggregating the best writing for a wide audience? And what’s more, can such sites effect a more objective style of blog reportage? Who should be responsible?
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