Don't be Such a Scientist

A good doctor uses both sides of the brain: the left for rationalisation, intellect and deduction, the right for empathy, narrative and intuition. Merging the two allows you to master both the art and science of medicine, but too often we go all cerebral when what’s needed is therapeutic gossip.

This would doubtless ring bells with Randy Olson. The author of Don’t be Such a Scientist is a Harvard PhD and marine biologist, who switched careers to become a successful film-maker and learned how to talk science. He argues that there’s little point in being a brilliant researcher, diagnostician, lawyer or politician if the masses aren’t listening to what you say.

Olson cites the example of Al Gore: he won both an Oscar and a Nobel Peace Prize for An Inconvenient Truth, but subsequent polls show no change in the public’s support for action on climate change. Gore himself has admitted that, “In a sense, I’ve failed badly because even though there’s a greater sense of awareness, there is not anything anywhere close to an appropriate sense of urgency.”

Gore may not have succeeded in changing behaviour, but then it’s hard to envisage much overcoming human selfishness and complacency, other than a tidal wave from a rising ocean. Olson is undoubtedly correct, nonetheless, in saying that science communicators are often dry, uninspiring and ponderous. Their peers may listen dutifully, but no‑one else does. In essence, scientists need to be able to tell engaging stories and be likeable.

I know lecturers who would rather choke on their PowerPoint slides than step out from behind the lectern to ‘arouse and fulfil the audience’, but Olson argues that without such a paradigm shift in science communication, the voice of truth and reason will be drowned out by the millions of people who make things up in a very engaging way. Fight fairy tales with evidence-based anecdotes and a cheery smile.

Dr Phil Hammond is a GP and author of Sex, Sleep or Scrabble