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Why Should We Bother to Communicate Astronomy? (page 30)
Will Gater


First Paragraph
I once attended a lecture on science communication by a prominent BBC radio producer. At the end of the lecture questions were taken by the producer on the ways in which science is communicated in the media and a lively discussion quickly arose. After covering the in and outs of target audiences, pitching articles and news pieces at the right level, the debate settled. Finally one postgraduate promptly raised his hand and proceeded to ask the producer something along the lines of: “Why should we even bother with science communication?” He then continued, emotively and quite genuinely, to argue that to try and explain his complex work would simplify it and, ultimately, belittle it. As he went on the room became quieter and quieter.