And so it begins…

There’s so much pressure to write an amazing first blog post.

Are they gonna like it? What will draw people in? What’s entertaining right now? Should I put some memes at the top? They’re so ‘in’ right now, but I’d have to ask my little sister to advise me on what’s actually hip at the moment…

Those are just a sampling of the thoughts going through my head as I stared at my screen for an hour trying to think of a way to start this thing. In the end I realized this blog is going to be all about learning and growing, so my first post doesn’t have to be especially insightful or deep or intense. It can just be me saying hey.

So, hey.

Here I am, an introverted scientist trying to appear extroverted by using the internet to connect with people. My name is Alyssa, you can find more details about me in the ‘About’ section of my blog (fair warning, I’m not that interesting so don’t expect much). If you’re wondering why I think I have any authority on writing about science, it’s because I’m a PhD student and we tend to think we know more than we actually do. If nothing else, I’m really good at researching topics I know nothing about and citing my information.

You might also be wondering why in the world did she name her science-themed blog ‘The Curious Sheep’? My answer to that is, excellent question! Since this blog is all about you asking why and me telling you why, I’ll spell it out for you.

First, I love puns and stupid jokes (something my family will tell you I got from my dad). To get the joke here, you should know that my last name is Shepard.

(Do you get it? If not, I suggest you Google “shepherd”)

Look at that, me making you do some research already. If you don’t get it, shepherds take care of sheep, watch over them, protect them, all that jazz. So I’m a “Shepard” (let’s get the spelling correct straight from the get go), and all my followers are my theoretical “sheep,” curious ones at that. I can hear the sighs from all you Debbie Downers and sticks in the mud from here.

Second, I recently learned that the common proverb, “curiosity killed the cat,” has a second part that no one ever tells you about. The whole phrase goes “curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back.” I hope you find that as satisfying as I do. How amazing is it that this saying is supposed to be encouraging curiosity? It’s so often used to stop children (and adults in some cases) from asking “why” so many darned times, when in reality it should do the exact opposite. So please, never stop being curious about the world around you, and I hope I can help encourage that curiosity through my blog.

There you have it, “The Curious Sheep” in all its glory. I find it quite clever and witty, so let me have a moment of patting myself on the back (if you find it cheesy, good because cheese is awesome).

Now you’re probably thinking okay, she has a pretty cool blog name, but why should I care about reading the content? To which I say YES! You should always ask why.

Have you ever gotten what I am going to call “science whiplash?” Think about all the times you’ve seen a magazine article that claims, “Put down that cup: Scientists say coffee is bad for you!” Then the next day you see that same magazine and it states, “Have a cup of good news: Scientists say coffee can help cure cancer!” (I’m making these titles up on the fly, please don’t look for a magazine that says this). The entirety of science seems to keep flip-flopping where it stands on coffee (among other things), giving you whiplash from how fast it changes.

What is the truth? Who are these “scientists” anyway that can make such bold claims? Where is their proof? I wasn’t going to stop drinking my coffee anyway, but it would be nice to enjoy a cuppa without a side of anxiety.

Hello, that’s where I’m here to help.

There is a problem in society (well, many problems but right now I’m focusing on the one I can help with), and that is scientific communication. I’m blaming everyone. Scientists, media, you, me, we’re all at fault here. Let me break it down by focusing on the two biggest issues.

 

The Media.

I am sure we’re all sick of hearing the phrase “fake news.” I’m sure we’re also sick of people placing blame on the media for everything, but I’m sticking with it. The media is at fault because they’re largely untrained on how to present scientific findings to the general public. The columnist who writes for a big newspaper doesn’t have a degree in biomedical engineering, yet she’s given an assignment to write about the latest technologies in artificial organs. The news anchor didn’t take a course on scientific literacy, yet he’s asked to present the findings for a new study about caffeine and cancer in a way that’s accurate but easily understandable. It’s hard for a trained scientist to do these things, let alone someone who has no scientific background.

Yes, the media needs to do a better job at understanding how to talk about science. Things are getting better. A lot of news outlets will bring in consultants from research labs and more science students are beginning to get into scientific communications (like yours truly). But the blame doesn’t solely rest on their shoulders.

 

Scientists.

I mean, it’s not entirely our fault either. But we could do a better job at interacting with the public. The problem is most research scientists are awkward, introverted people who try to stay as far away from the spotlight (and other people) as possible. The other problem is most scientists don’t take extra literature or communications courses, which hampers their ability to present any findings outside their academic circles. Scientists are trained to write and communicate in a way that is not easily consumable by a wider audience.

I can say this with certainty because this is my life. I get to talk to other scientists about science all day, every day. I know how we communicate, I know that it isn’t always easy to follow what is being said. I see the flaws in the system. These flaws are exactly why I’m starting this blog.

 

In all honesty, I’m not sure where this will take me. I just know that I love science and I love writing and I want to share those sides of me. This is all about learning, and I expect to learn as much (if not more) than I teach. Let’s get rid of that science whiplash and get to a greater understanding of science: what it is, how it works, and most importantly, why.  I hope my small contribution can make science feel less intimidating and generate a spark of curiosity in us all.