Journal article
Lessons from a tyrannosaur; the ambassadorial role of paleontology
Palaios, Vol.18(6), pp.475-476
12/2003
DOI: 10.1669/0883-1351(2003)018<0475:LFATTA>2.0.CO;2
Abstract
The public is asked to act on scientific information, but not all of the scientific information available is useful (or even really scientific). The quality of science programming in the USA ranges from excellent to appallingly bad. The scientific method is the key to discerning good science programming from an impostor. Paleontologists generate immediate media interest, and people watch and listen. It was in this light that I approached Sue, with varying degrees of success. Paleontology can be a marvelous pulpit from which the scientific method can be proclaimed, but we need more dialogue between scientists and media personnel. I am not convinced that the public will only care about or understand select scientific topics. We all got into this profession because we like it; surely, we can show others why. Finally, an unrelated point. The scientific community owes a debt of gratitude to the people who prepared, molded, cast, and mounted the skeleton. They cannot get enough credit. The result is a display that oth excites the public (which does care whether it sees the real thing instead of a cast) and not only allows, but enhances our ability to study the fossil. We all go into this profession because we like it surely we can show others (including those in the media) why.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Lessons from a tyrannosaur; the ambassadorial role of paleontology
- Creators
- Christopher A Brochu - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Palaios, Vol.18(6), pp.475-476
- Publisher
- Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists
- DOI
- 10.1669/0883-1351(2003)018<0475:LFATTA>2.0.CO;2
- ISSN
- 0883-1351
- eISSN
- 1938-5323
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/2003
- Academic Unit
- Earth and Environmental Sciences; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984229174302771
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