Quotes from Don’t Be Such a Scientist

On the recommendation of Prof. David Karoly, I bought Randy Olson’s Don’t Be Such a Scientist: Talking Substance in an Age of Style. I highly recommend this book for those who want to make their science more accessible to others (both scientists and nonscientists). Olson breaks down his observations of how best to communicate to the public with four admonitions:

1. Don’t be so cerebral.
2. Don’t be so literal minded.
3. Don’t be such a poor storyteller.
4. Don’t be so unlikeable.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book.

When it comes to mass communication, it’s as simple as two things: arouse and fulfill. You need to first arouse your audience and get them interested in what you have to say; then you need to fulfill their expectations. — Tom Hollihan, communications professor (p. 69)

Science, like art and most other professions, requires a mixture of two elements—creativity and discipline. Science without creativity is dull, but science without discipline is dangerous. (p. 132)

Let’s face it, really good teaching sooner or late involves a certain amount of pain. Whether it’s the pain of tedious work or the pain of stinging criticism, seeking a totally pain-free education is kind of wishful thinking. (p. 157)

When I was an undergraduate in the 1970s, there were still remnants of the robotic, disconnected, third-person style of presenting science in both writing and speaking that has been perfected in post–World War II era of research. Scientific research papers would use this weird, otherworldly voice, saying “The investigator collected samples,” even though the author was the investigator. That’s like Mr. T saying, “When Mr. T wants to whup ass, Mr. T whups ass.” (p. 167)