Don't Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style

by Randy Olson

Book Overview

Don't Be Such a Scientist Randy Olson shares lessons oh his transformation from tenured professor to Hollywood filmmaker, challenging the science world to toss out its stodgy past in favor of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1597265632
• ISBN13: 9781597265638
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: Island Press
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 0.04 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Long Overdue Lesson for Young Scientists

Over the course of the last half century, the teaching ability of professors at Universities has declined to a point that when a student actually gets a good teacher as a professor, it is an unexpected surprise. Those of us that have worked in the university research environment know the focus of most professors is their research, while the education of the student is an unfortunate but necessary requirement that allows one to continue his/her research. Scientists have forgotten that they actually are at universities for two reasons: 1. Teach students (and public), 2. Perform research. It is sad reality of the current university system that the first reason is often forgotten. This book is a long overdue shock to the complacent college educational environment, and a must read for young scientists studying any curriculum. Randy Olson has combined his experience as a PhD professor of biology, training from USC Film School, and experience as a movie/mockumentary director to write a book that outlines a list of guidelines (not steps or rules) for scientists to use in order to make their work better understood to the masses. As Mr. Olson intimates and this reviewer would agree, what is the purpose of studying science to further the knowledge of man, if the scientist is the only one that understands the usefulness of their work? It is the opinion of this reviewer that scientists have a moral obligation to become good communicators. Randy does a great job of outlining guidelines to better ones self as a communicator. These guidelines (chapters) include: Don't be so cerebral, Don't be so literal minded, Don't be such a poor story teller, Don't be so unlikeable, Be the voice of science. I would also add "Don't be afraid". Though not a chapter, Randy addresses this idea throughout. After all, how does one gain wisdom? Through experience and failure. I believe it was Homer Simpson that suggested "You will never fail if you never try, so don't try!" This is not a step by step manual on how to do this, then do this, then do this, and you will be a great orator of science. As Randy states, if this type of list is what you are looking for, look elsewhere. It is a guide on what to consider when communicating science to the masses, with suggestions on training to become a better communicator. His suggestions range from something as simple as always practice and prepare your talks (which so many scientists forget to do), to take a course in improve theater! The book encourages each person to reflect on their own strengths, embrace them, and become a good communicator in their own way, not to copy others and try to fake it. Not everyone can be a great teacher, but we can all be better. When first reading this book I was interested, and as I moved forward, I became enthralled about the contents, lecturing my wife on a daily basis about the contents within. I began using a highlighter and taking notes, many, many pages worth of notes that I can use to improve my

A must-read: communicating to the general public is important!

There are people in science who know what they're talking about. And there are people in the realm of science who make a greater impact on the general population. Often, these are not the same people, and Randy Olson takes us on his quest to figure out "why?". Why won't people listen to scientists who know what they're talking about? They've spent their whole lives focusing on their field of expertise. Why do their real-life adventures and thrilling discoveries go unnoticed by the general public? It is a common obstacle that I share with my peers in scientific fields who have a drive to use their knowledge to make a difference in the world. Can you imagine how discouraging it is when our thoughts and stories about our life's work are met with yawns and glazed eyes? This book picks the issue apart scientifically, but (thankfully) is not written scientifically. I find scientific writing to be dense and, well, a little difficult to read (making me sleepy and blurring my vision a little). Olson practices what he preaches and presents his rather strong argument through compelling anecdotes and current examples that are common knowledge. His conversational writing style is a pleasure to read, and this is a must-read for all seasoned and aspiring scientists.

Communicating with the public? Read this book.

Olson's "Don't be SUCH a Scientist" was written by a man who practices what he preaches. This scientist-turned-Hollywood producer generously invites us to follow his unorthodox journey from a tenured Harvard professor to a film producer of, shock!, science-themed films. His self-deprecation is charming and his myriad of first-person accounts, impressive; but it's the clear, consistent, delivery of his common sense message that earned this book a five star review. If scientists want to connect with the public--and they ought to considering, just for starters, the public funds 50% of the basic research in the U.S. through our tax dollars--they can do so very effectively if they are willing to, well, shake old institutional habits and learn some new tricks. What makes a great communicator? Think of the most dynamic friend you have. He/She is probably a darn good story-teller. Passionate, articulate, likable. No matter what topic this person is talking about, it's compelling. These skills happen to be innate to some people; though, in my opinion, scientists seem to suppress them (enthusiasm = un evolved dummy). As a result, authentic, effective communication between the public and scientists is rare. Enter Olson with his original, practical and always respectful How To primer. From how to be likable (and why that's important) to how to translate a complex scientific topic into a stimulating, even emotional, message. Sprinkled between are anecdotes and data but the author follows his own advice and keeps his message entertaining, engaging and brief. (I read this book cover to cover during a two hour hour train ride.) In addition to reading the book, I recommend the reader also view two particular Olson films: Flock of Dodos, in which he gives viewers an up close and personal view of the drama, law and science entangled in the national debate over Evolution vs. Intelligent Design in schools; and, Sizzle: A Global Warming Comedy which is too rich for words but it will explain why only Olson is qualified to write this book for and about, scientists. One final note, while this book is focused largely on how scientists can improve their communication skills, one could substitute the word scientists with "Economists" or "Lawyers" or any other field in which practitioners seek to engage the public's attention.

Why can't Johnny appreciate science?

Why do so many Americans enthusiastically embrace nonsense like astrology but remain skeptical about evolution despite the fact that "nothing in biology makes sense" without it, as Dobzhansky famously put it? In an age when our appetite for fossil fuels literally threatens to topple global civilization, understanding environmental science should be as fundamental as reading. Yet many of our neighbors don't know a stem cell from a mobile phone. What's going wrong? Enter Randy Olson -- Harvard-educated professor of marine biology turned renegade filmmaker -- who has pondered that question long and hard. His difficult journey to enlightenment is the story of this book. Equal parts autobiography, earnest self-help book, and rant against his former profession, Olson's shocking (!) thesis is basically that the old grade-school taunts are true: most scientists are elitist eggheads with no clue how to reach the heart, soul--and, yes, libido--that make the rest of the world go round. This is why the smartest guys (and gals) in the room so often induce a state of bafflement and unconsciousness in audiences that cut their teeth on in-your-face multimedia. We can all think of exceptions, of course. But they are depressingly few. By aiming at the heads of our fellow citizens, Olson argues, well-meaning scientists are missing the mark and shooting ourselves, and the basic rationality at the foundation of democracy, in the foot. We should be going instead for the heart, gut, and, well, the groin. The strategy is hard to argue with. It's certainly worked well for Oprah. But how to get there without compromising our scientific integrity? The book outlines the equivalent of a 12-step program for science geeks who can't get a date -- for their message. It pulls few punches, and many scientists will find it painful. That's clearly intentional -- he is after all aiming at the gut. But it's not a sucker punch so much as an unorthodox and vigorous wake-up call. You may be good enough, and smart enough, but this book aims to take scientists that critical next step to where "doggone it, people like you." Don't think that's important? Oh, don't be such a scientist!

A Call To Arms: communicating the science that will save the planet

Although ostensibly aimed at scientists, "Don't Be Such A Scientist" offers specific advice to anyone on communicating a message, particularly a complicated rational one, while at the same time chronicling Randy Olson's transformation from tenured professor of Oceanography at the University of New Hampshire to struggling filmmaker on the mean and venal streets of Hollywood. High-minded and serious at times, hilarious and poignant at others, Olson's book is an inspiring, entertaining, and edifying read for anyone... except maybe the acting teacher that told him to get the f**k out of her classroom. Olson wrote this book in response to the rise of an "anti-science" movement "that truly does threaten our quality of life." He sounds a call to arms for the rational world: "Large groups of people are fighting against hard, cold, rational data-based science and clinical medicine, simply saying they don't care what the science says." For Olson, the problem is not in the quality of the science itself but in the manner in which it is communicated. Too many scientists rely on the work to speak for itself, and, according to Olson, therein lies the problem. In "Don't Be Such A Scientist", Olson lays out specific steps to make scientists better story-tellers, especially through the visual media. He starts with encouraging the reader to be less cerebral and "to move the process down out of your head, into your heart with sincerity, into your gut with humor, and, ideally... into your lower organs with sex appeal." Classical story structure, character, humor, and, God forbid, likeability are topics Olson covers while drawing from his personal experience with icons of the science community like Stephen Jay Gould and Jeremy Jackson and Hollywood players like Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, and Jack Black. Olson's wide-ranging experience and knowledge, his keen intelligence, irreverant wit, and rebellious spirit make "Don't Be Such A Scientist" a provocative and compelling challenge to all of us to be better communicators.