Science helps us to understand the world around us. Next, science can be used for specific problems (like extending the shelf life of vegetables and meat, making smokeless stove etc). Science cannot solve problems that has significant human influence. Problems like malnutrition, corruption and poverty are classic examples.
Application of science has produced many useful things to human beings. One such thing is vaccination technique. Using vaccination dreaded diseases like diphtheria, small pox and polio can be prevented from occurring. Thereby improving the human being's living conditions. But there is resistance to use vaccination due to misinformation (fraudulent research publications [1], public apathy towards government [2]). A research paper appeared in Lancet journal linking autism and vaccination use. Subsequent research finding proved that vaccination has no bearing on autism [1]. Anyway the misinformation reached the public well than the subsequent research finding.
Nowadays affluent people prefer 'Organic farm produce' rather than produce enriched by chemical fertilizer. The problem is not chemical fertilizers but over use of fertilizers by ill trained farmers. But, public blame science for spoiling the agricultural lands and food. So, it becomes imperative for scientists to communicate with common people and debunk the misinformation they hold.
Application of science has produced many useful things to human beings. One such thing is vaccination technique. Using vaccination dreaded diseases like diphtheria, small pox and polio can be prevented from occurring. Thereby improving the human being's living conditions. But there is resistance to use vaccination due to misinformation (fraudulent research publications [1], public apathy towards government [2]). A research paper appeared in Lancet journal linking autism and vaccination use. Subsequent research finding proved that vaccination has no bearing on autism [1]. Anyway the misinformation reached the public well than the subsequent research finding.
Nowadays affluent people prefer 'Organic farm produce' rather than produce enriched by chemical fertilizer. The problem is not chemical fertilizers but over use of fertilizers by ill trained farmers. But, public blame science for spoiling the agricultural lands and food. So, it becomes imperative for scientists to communicate with common people and debunk the misinformation they hold.
People from science background (scientists, engineers and technologists) like to communicate within themselves. Engaging with the public carry a stigma to them. It sends a signal to fellow scientists that the person is not "serious" scientist. Next, public don't crack problems rationally. They have social, cultural and emotional barriers or sensibilities. Any solution that requires removal of barrier(s) will find stiff resistance from public. So, it is imperative to understand the human nature to make scientific solutions acceptable to them. For that exposure to social science and humanities subjects will be of great help to scientists.
Communicating with public will help them to know the importance of science to the society, to improve the absorption of scientific solutions in the society, to garner more funding from government to do research as well as scientific knowledge dissemination and to get respect from society. Let us get acquainted with humanities and then take the science to the public rather than expecting them to learn science. Writing scientific articles with public in mind is the first step in that direction. That is what this blog is trying to do.
Note
This post is more or less a gist of [1]. The perils of not having humanities education in engineering is discussed in [3].
References
[1] David J. Skorton, " Why Scientists Should Embrace the Liberal Arts: Science alone isn’t enough to solve the world’s problems", Scientific American, 16th Jan. 2014. [Available Online] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-scientists-should-embrace-liberal-arts/. Click Here
[2] Pakistan polio: Seven killed in anti-vaccination attack - BBC News | http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36090891 Click Here
[3] "STEM Education Is Vital--but Not at the Expense of the Humanities", Scientific American, 1st Oct. 2016. [Available Online] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stem-education-is-vital-but-not-at-the-expense-of-the-humanities/ Click Here
References
[1] David J. Skorton, " Why Scientists Should Embrace the Liberal Arts: Science alone isn’t enough to solve the world’s problems", Scientific American, 16th Jan. 2014. [Available Online] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-scientists-should-embrace-liberal-arts/. Click Here
[2] Pakistan polio: Seven killed in anti-vaccination attack - BBC News | http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36090891 Click Here
[3] "STEM Education Is Vital--but Not at the Expense of the Humanities", Scientific American, 1st Oct. 2016. [Available Online] https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stem-education-is-vital-but-not-at-the-expense-of-the-humanities/ Click Here
