General concepts and applications

Popular Science:

An Understand of How Science Is Perceived in the Public Through Four Article Reviews

Although academics, politicians, and those who work in a scientific career are often very connected to the world of science, the public is also rather interested in scientific findings. Science has an impact on the day-to-day lives of many. For instance, scientific findings may alter the methods with which one eats, exercises, and even applies beauty products. Scientific information can make the general public more wary about an activity, or calm the worries of some. In addition to changing the day-to-day routines of many members of the public, scientific information can also be used to further the political debates of the day. Scientific findings can do this both intentionally and unintentionally through the presentation of simple facts or the politically biased slant taken on by an article. The four articles explored in this paper are easily available to the public and deal with a variety of issues that are drastically important to the public or public debate. Some of the issues also have political implications, but not all are politically biased. Through an examination of these articles, one can determine that the way in which scientific findings are presented to the public are vastly important to the perception of these ideas, and the ways in which they impact their audience.

Global climate change or global warming is one of those hot topics that draws the interest of both politicians and the general public. The issues are of interest to politicians because it shapes a great deal of domestic and international legislation and has economic impacts. The public is concerned about the issue because it holds important implications for the future of their world. Laura Allen's article "The Other Big Meltdown," addresses this issue by presenting scientific findings and presenting a new government initiative that plans to forecast climate change trends. Though the issue does discuss a current issue, it does not present the information in a biased manner. Rather, Allen simply suggests that global warming is occurring much faster than scientists had previously believed, that the government is developing a grant to allow scientists to develop the technology that will map the short-term affects of global warming that have never occurred before, and that the effects of climate change can be sever. Though Allen does not write the article in a politically biased tone, it does have many political implications. For instance, the possibility of global warming effects in the near future raises problems for emergency management and disaster relief organizations, as well as legislation that will limit big business's ability to pollute. Furthermore, the grant itself is a political issue because it involves federal funds. While the point-of-view from which this article is written is both informal and unbiased, the article is definitely written by someone who understands the drastic importance of global warming for the general population. Because of the great deal of evidence cited, the validity of the implied conclusions, that global warming is important seems solid. Although this article is presented to the general public, and is not technical, it suggests that scientists have come to their conclusions based on the scientific method because of the results they received, which contradicted their earlier assumptions.

Bill McKibben's "The Most Important Number on Earth" similarly deals with the issue of global warming. In his article, written for Mother Jones, a liberal political magazine, the author discusses that current scientific findings have decided upon a number of carbon production that must be met or exceeded in order to sustain the planet in the future. That number is 350 parts per million. McKibben argues that the global warming issue has been taking center stage in both political and environmental circles, but that a "tipping point" had to come. He stresses that the 350 figure is the tipping point, and that ignoring that carbon production number, which the earth has already defied, will lead to the worst possible case scenario in terms of global warming. McKibben goes on to demonstrate the ways in which this number can be achieved, including the absence of coal plants, carbon caps for countries and businesses, and international cooperation. Unlike Allen's article, McKibben's purpose is not simply to relate scientific fact. Rather it is a call to action, requesting that both the public and political leaders take action. Thus, this is primarily a politically biased article because it argues for immediate action and makes suggestions about what should be done based on the scientific problems posed. The political implications of this article are enormous, including international relations to come up with worldwide emissions agreements, economic reform in regards to the businesses that continue to use carbon-emitting practices, and legislation that will limit the abilities of businesses. This article is written from the point-of-view, therefore, of someone who has been monitoring this situation for quite some time, and who is concerned about global warming's impact on earth. In addition, this person writes from the political point-of-view, having a great deal of knowledge about how the problem can be solved politically. The scientific conclusion that global warming is a time-sensitive problem is unique, but not valid, while the idea of 350 is based on a new study, so its accurateness cannot be confirmed. McKibben, however, does not suggest this. Instead, he relies on the number, 350, as solid fact, without admitting that it may not be correct. Thus, when presented with the information with which McKibben was presented, I may have been concerned, but would not have moved to the place of changing international agreements just yet.

Christine Cyr's Popular Science article "Flying High on Biofuels," discusses yet another area of science related to global warming. In this article, the author discusses how airlines are attempting to go green by using alternative fuels. The article, which presents new information, that several airlines are planning on testing new models that run on alternative fuels, as well as an application for that information, that alternative fuel-using aircraft could save consumers on their airline tickets. Cyr writes this short article from the point-of-view of someone who wants to relay information. As Cyr uses the application of cheaper tickets to get the reader's attention, the article is written from the point-of-view of the consumer. Although it has a real application, however, it is a scientific article as new scientific information is being imparted. Though this article does not use many complex terms or scientific language, its message is clear and unbiased. The author simply presents the fact that airlines are experimenting with alternative fuels with no hidden agenda, though she does tell consumers how the change may benefit them.