Science for the common man
Science writers bridge the complexity of the lab and the lay person's understanding. Photo: Murali Kumar. K
LET'S FACE it: modern humans may be addicted to technology but most of us prefer to keep science at an arm's length. As the volume of scientific knowledge in the world expands by leaps and bounds, people, for the most part remain blissfully unaware of developments.
Here's where the science writer comes in — breaking scientific ideas into bite-size pieces for public consumption.
Tracing the hidden logic behind complex phenomena, probing until all the facts are revealed and finally presenting the jargon-filled facts in clean, simple vocabulary can't be easy. For them, perfection lives in the details.
According to Manoj Patariya, Director of National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, the difference between a science communicator and a general communicator lies in what they look for.
"If there is a train accident, a general reporter will look for information, such as the time and location of the accident, the number of people killed, the response from the police, paramedics and government, when the trains will be restored and to a limited extent, the cause of the accident," says Dr. Patariya.
A science reporter, however, will consider the cause more seriously. If the accident was caused by a brake failure, he or she will examine how the failure occurred with respect to brake systems, the kinds of brakes available and how the accident could have been averted, he says. In a recent survey, the NCSTC found that employment avenues in science communication are on the rise. "Not only are there plenty of openings in mass media, newspapers, television, but the corporate sector dealing in technology and healthcare also requires people who can communicate scientific information effectively," says Dr. Patariya.
"There is a world-wide debate going on about whether a science communicator should be a scientist-turned journalist or a journalist with a flair for science," he observes. "The majority do not think it necessary to be a scientist, the writer only needs to understand scientific concepts."
The Government of India declared 2004 (extended up to March 2005) as the year of Scientific Awareness. With 2005 declared the International Year of Physics by the United Nations, science communication assumes a crucial role.
NCSTC's objective is to ensure that science communication comprises 10 per cent of mass media coverage. "At present, science coverage in the country has only 3 per cent of the pie," says Dr. Patariya. But even so, this is relatively higher than many other countries.
Dr. Patariya believes that the key to making science interesting is cross-fertilisation. "If you write on photography, nobody will read it. But if you write on photography and films, you will generate interest," he says. Creativity in science writing can make it eminently readable. "By reading magazines and journals, new ideas will emerge in your mind," he tells science writing- enthusiasts. "And always look for an Indian perspective," he adds.
Akhila Seetharaman
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