I've been thinking about this a lot lately.
A lot, a lot.
It's no secret that I think it does indeed matter, but in just my own personal sphere, I consistently encounter uncaring opinions from other people. This isn't me complaining, this is me honestly concerned.
What am I talking about? While science is talked about in the public sphere more and more, gives us cell phones and medical solutions, while we see Bill Nye and Neil deGrasse Tyson regularly on TV and we even have the massively encouraging "March for Science" rallies, there are still a lot of issues. Apathy abounds, and much of the public does not see what value science holds, or what it does for them. Our pop culture tells us a lot about this. Allow me to take a moment and explain, if I may.
I was so displeased with Jurassic World that I didn't even bother to see Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (see my review of the first four films here). The new Meg movie has me thinking about this all the more (a film I also did not see, although shark biologist Dr. David Shiffman did, and reviewed it here). And, perhaps most concerning, hoax mockumentaries from no less than the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet convinced countless viewers that a giant shark was being concealed by scientists and the government, and that mermaids were also real (science writer Brian Switek wrote about these when they aired, see his excellent pieces here, and here). Please don't ask me about Ancient Aliens. This issue as it is found in my own little corner of the science world (paleontology) was discussed by Elsa Panciroli at The Guardian in this piece here. And that's just scratching the surface of recent events.
With all of this, many people see an increasing trend in public confusion. While television and certain parts of the internet seem to drive this phenomenon, other parts help undo the damage (for example, Cosmos and Science Twitter and Science Tumblr!).
So, instead of lamenting something cultural, waxing philosophical, or embracing misanthropy and running away to a mountan hut, I'd like to offer some brief points as to why it matters (for those of you unconvinced as of yet) and what to do about it (for those of you newly or already convinced). I hope that this may sway some of you on the fence, and make you think. You don't have to sacrifice the fun to embrace the truths that science has uncovered. For those of you frustrated like I often am, I hope to present some hope. This is by no means a be-all, end-all post, these are just a handful viewpoints, and written as succinctly as possible in order to save my readers time with their busy schedules (I get it, I'm nearly always busy, too!).
#1. Science has driven the human race forward from our hunter-gatherer roots to what we are now. This feat cannot be understated. We continue to strive onwards and excelsior, and it is science that gives us the ability to do that. The simple flintknapper of pre-antiquity has much in common with those who study the stars, or look for cures to human maladies. If you aren't convinced yet, read and study more (the smartphone you'll probably use to researcj this was made possible by science, by the way). If you are convinced, here's how you can just scratch the surface and get things going. Encourage science as a whole, or any aspect of it. Visit a museum, zoo, aquarium, planetarium, watch a good science documentary, or read a good science book. Then, tell others about it. Science is everywhere; you don't have to start stargazing or birdwatching if you aren't ready to. You can start by studying something if interest to you. Like cooking? Read Robert Wolke's What Einstein Told His Cook, parts one and two. Prefer to spend time in the gym? Learn about anatomy, muscles and fitness! And so on and so forth.
#2. Science and the arts are closer than you think. You don't have to avoid movies to love science. Albert Einstein himself said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." (What Life Means to Einstein, 1929). Much of science fiction, for example, excites people about science (Here's looking at you, Star Trek, you beautiful thing, you!), and even cheese such as Godzilla at least can get you asking great questions (Can an animal get that big? Quick answer: no, something kaiju fans such as myself will forever find saddening. But the point is, you asked the question!). Entertain yourself and your loved ones, and bring the science with you. Fun and fact can complement each other!
#3. Science literacy is a serious concern here in America, and we're not doing nearly as well as we should be. As the future generations matter (That's self-explanatory, right?), this is a crucial issue. Humanity must drive forward. There are new things to discover, new problems to solve (many of those massive and pressing; global warming, pollution, the sixth mass extinction, etc.), and even those of us not directly around children can help. Friends or family are bound to have kids; give them gifts or age-appropriate science books, or good science-based toys. Share your love of science with them. Find a teacher and help support them if you can. Where there's a will, there's a way!
#4. I'm going to go out on a limb here, and wax unusual by suggesting something; if you're on the fence, just try it. I suggest one of the many reasons for involving yourself in science is not just for the good of humanity, but it's for your own personal enrichment, too. Look up at the sky, or at a forest, a flower, a snowflake, or the ocean, and allow yourself to wonder. Lose yourself in the natural world. Look. Open your eyes. Then close them. Listen. Smell. Feel. Science is an experience as much as anything else. As you begin to ask questions, you can learn the answers, and that knowledge is something no one can ever take from you. I can't think of anything more liberating, fulfilling, or empowering. Try it!
#5. Interested in getting involved? Similar to what I talked about in #1, you can donate to good institutions, or volunteer at a museum, zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, etc. The possibilities are endless. If you're more interested in the personal investment side of it, you can become a birder, or stargaze, or collect insects or rocks, or even just read and educate yourself. Find something simple that strikes your fancy. You can even join myself and many others in "Sci-Comm" (science communication) and spread the word through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr, and more.
Hopefully this general intro will get a few people thinking!
Spencer Bronte
Science, to a Student
