Should the field of science use celebrities to promote science?

Should the field of science use celebrities to promote science?

This was a question some journalists asked while dealing with the issue of mistrust in science in the Western world.

And the moment they heard this question, some scientists' faces have clearly shown the expression of disgust. Some even directly said, "No"! And the word was a big one with lot of weight!

It is true that anti-science movements are using celebrities in the West. That is why they are becoming more and more popular. It doesn't matter whether you are getting things right or wrong when you are dealing with absurdity and pseudo-science!

But while dealing with science, you have to try your level best to get things right. Misinformation, manipulation of facts to suit ones' agenda, silly opinions, misquoting science make things more worse. Do we want to sink more and more into a hole? Moreover, some people clearly told me that scientists using the language of politicians, activists and religious and dooms day pundits is what is making them distrust science (1). The use of celebrities make them think science has lost its integrity.

Here in India, the central and state governments themselves use celebrities for vaccine promotions and health care advertisements. As long as the celebrities repeat just what the experts ask them to do, it is okay. But they shouldn't talk more than that - especially about things they really don't know. However celebrities more often try to act smart after reading a few things in news papers and magazines and start 'giving advices' to laymen about health care and environmental issues which is highly deplorable. You can read here why.

Then should scientists themselves try to become some sort of celebrities? This was another question that was being asked.

Desperate situations lead to considering all sorts of desperate solutions!

Falling into the trap some people, especially the media related ones, are laying and saying that following the celebrity culture is the only right and absolute way of doing things and becoming popular - doesn't suit intelligent people and geeks.

It is very difficult for a large number of scientists to imitate celebrities. I know this because I know what it would be like to indulge in silly talk, act things you don't subscribe to readily, laugh out loud or at least smile always when you are dealing with a very serious scientific problem and show other emotions that you were trained to control to get public attention.

Aping celebrities makes scientists lead a double life - one that is lab-oriented and another one that is completely opposite to the first one. And they would become big jokers.

Huh! Personally I don't think scientists should act like celebrities.

But, they can make frequent public appearances and by using the right communication skills without compromising scientific integrity, they can attract people's attention.

They can build trust in science by being themselves and strictly following the rules of science too.

Just be a little friendly, try to speak in a language that people can understand.

I think that is more than enough to communicate science and build trust.

References:

1. http://kkartlab.in/group/some-science/forum/topics/how-can-people-c...