Contemporary Science Popularizers
As you might have read, Prof. Richard Dawkins will be retiring in Sept 2008 from the Charles Simonyi chair for Public understanding of Science. For continuing the service of popularizing Science among the public and making them understand it better, they have advertised for a suitable successor. Prof. Dawkins himself has sent the advertisement to several Americans, including Carolyn Porco, Lawrence Krauss and PZ Myers.Let us veer off and look at Science popularization itself.
What is popularizing? Taking a difficult concept and explaining it in simple terms such that it could be understood by a spectrum of readers from different specializations. To do this certain degree of effort, inclination and concentration is expected from the reader, but no specialization. On the other hand, readers participation, irrespective of his/her distance from the topic explained, depends largely on the writings. An enthusiastic science writer with a command of language, concepts in science and imagination could cast a spell on any lay reader, irrespective of the nature of the topic discussed.
The person should be reasonably accomplished and good in connecting with people. On the other hand, the person need not essentially be a great scientist or to have done extraordinary research. If such achievements exist, it is a bonus. What is essential is that the person should convey tough concepts and the associated science to the public, without diluting them to the point of inaccuracy. Should be courageous to talk Science as it is, even when such talks become politically incorrect.
Check also Blake Stacey’s post for a related view.
With that tentative description in mind, who do you think are good science popularizers today? Yes, names like Feynman and Sagan crop up immediately, but they are no more with us. Some names I could start with are Paul Davies, Richard Dawkins, Timothy Ferris, Steven Pinker…
Any more suggestions?
