Wed 14 Sep 2011
Lucid in the Sky with Diamonds
Posted by anaglyph under Australiana, In The News, Science, Skeptical Thinking, Space, Technology
[6] Comments
Image CSIRO
The Conversation is carrying an enormously insightful article by Dr Matthew Bailes, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Research at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne.
Dr Bailes was one of the discoverers of the ‘diamond planet’ that you can’t fail to have heard about recently if you follow any kind of science news. It even made a sizeable appearance in the mainstream media all across the world.
…the diamond planet has been hugely successful in igniting public curiosity about the universe in which we live… Our host institutions were thrilled with the publicity and most of us enjoyed our 15 minutes of fame. The attention we received was 100% positive, but how different that could have been.
How so? Well, we could have been climate scientists.
As Dr Bailes goes on to point out, the scientific process involved in discovering a diamond planet is exactly the same scientific process involved in gathering data on climate change. And yet, the media and the general public is happy to accept the scientific community’s assessment of one and not the other.
I highly recommend you read this article and Tweet it, Like it and otherwise recommend it to your friends.
(Oh, and seriosuly, make sure you subscribe – for free – to The Conversation. Real news, real journalism, no agenda. As it should be.)
Yes it’s sad people get excited about diamonds etc, I’m glad you’re excited about The Conversation however – I’m a big fan!
Baubles vs Facts, I know what I’d bet on.
The King
Yes the human brain is a pretty easily distracted thing. Tell people there’s a planet made out of diamonds in some far off sector of space and they’ll line up to put some money down to own a bit of it, even if the prospect is as as irrational as hell.
Tell them they might have to fork out a few dollars to preserve the one they’re actually living on and they whinge like children who can’t have a lolly.
Did we ever hear back from Wanda btw?
The King
Nope. Wanda was profound in her lack of response.
Great article. Reading The Conversation makes you realise (well, we already did but anyway) how tawdry most journalism has become.
Yes, it’s certainly nice reading news written by people who can think. Meanwhile, Rupert continues with the hyperbole of how impoverished we’re going to be without the conventional Old World press. It is to laugh.