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Don't Be Such A Scientist: Talking Substance In An Age Of Style (2009)

by Randy Olson(Favorite Author)

3.64 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1597265632 (ISBN13: 9781597265638)

languge

English

genre

Nonfiction

publisher

Island Press

review 1: A (entertaining) book that covers science communication from a "to the masses" and "film" perspective, rather than e.g. "how to prepare for an interview" perspective. While at times I felt it focused too much on the medium of film, it is hard to overstate the importance of film (including 'videos' of all types) for mass communication, I just think I cam slightly biased against it. That said, I felt that just about everything here is relevant, whether talking about film or not, and whether talking about communicating directly to a mass audience or only indirectly.
review 2: Olson means to jar his staid scientific audience with this book, calling them out for being unlikeable, bogged down in details, poor storytellers, and so much more. And yet, the tone is alw... moreays one of loving frustration since Olson is a scientist himself and still has great fondness for the quirks and structures of the scientific world. He just wishes it would shape up and start affecting change. By embracing both style and substance. Olson has useful and thought-provoking one-liners and pointers in the book and illustrates them all with humorous anecdotes, usually personal. I found myself wishing he had found another scientist turned filmmaker to work with as some of the examples got a bit worn but perhaps there isn't another...? The book provides only general ideas and suggestions, no real plan of action. But I suppose that is the difference between style and substance! less

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