Re: Popular(izing) Science

From: Michael Lorrey (mike@datamann.com)
Date: Wed Feb 21 2001 - 11:22:48 MST


Amara Graps wrote:
>
> But where did this phrase:
>
> >largely UNpopular with other scientists, who tend
> ^^^^^^^^^^
> to look down upon such sharing of secret knowledge
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> with the unwashed masses
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> come from? Do these words come from _your_ experience
> with scientists?
>
> "secret knowledge" ??!! (== "science concepts" ??)
> "unwashed masses" ??!! (== "nonscientists" ??)
>
> I find these phrases antagonistic and a complete disconnect with
> my knowledge and experience. I've been in the sciences 20 years,
> and I've yet to encounter another scientist who treats
> nonscientists with this kind of scorn, as you describe above.

Yes, typically this scorn is reserved for freshmen, and it usually takes
until spring break for this attitude to set in.... ;)



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