Hate the Science Writing, Not the Science

3quarkdaily just picked up my little rant about an awful piece of science writing. They accompanied their post with a picture of the scientist profiled in the article, Hina Chaudhry. That juxtaposition made me a bit queasy–let me just make clear that I was not criticizing Dr. Chaudhry, just the article about her. Dr. Chaudhry is doing what scientists should: running experiments and getting her results published in peer-reviewed journals. Here’s a free link to a 2007 paper of hers on regenerating heart tissue. It’s up to us science writers in turn to find a better way to describe a scientist than as a “a pretty lady.”

January 20th, 2009 10:12 AM by Carl Zimmer in Medicine, Meta | 3 comments | RSS feed | Trackback >

3 Responses to “Hate the Science Writing, Not the Science”

1. Jumblepudding Says:
January 20th, 2009 at 11:04 am

This article honestly reminded me of the way the futuristic news anchors spoke in the movie Idiocracy. Bizarre, bizarre writing.
2. Jumblepudding Says:
January 20th, 2009 at 11:05 am

the article referenced, that is
3. Peggy Says:
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:32 pm

Yes, thank you. That article was so painful to read. It’s really a shame because Chaudhry’s research sounds interesting and innovative.

Books

Carl Zimmer is the author of twelve books and counting.

"Beautiful. Packed with fascinating stories"-Nature
Order a copy

"Whether discussing the common cold and flu, little-known viruses that attack bacteria or protect oceans, or the world’s viral future as seen through our encounters with HIV or SARS, Zimmer’s writing is lively, knowledgeable, and graced with poetic touches.”—Rebecca Skloot, author of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Available in hardback or Kindle

“Carl Zimmer takes us behind the scenes in our own heads. He has ferreted out all the most wondrous, bizarre stories and studies and served them up in this delicious, sizzling, easy-to-digest platter of neuro-goodness.” —Mary Roach, author of Packing for Mars and Stiff
An ebook exclusive: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, carlzimmer.com

New! More Brain Cuttings:
Further Explorations of the Mind
Order from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and Apple

The Tangled Bank: An Introduction to Evolution

"The Tangled Bank is the best written and best illustrated introduction to evolution of the Darwin centennial decade, and also the most conversant with ongoing research."--Edward O. Wilson, Harvard University
Order a copy

Microcosm: E. coli and The New Science of Life

"Superb...quietly revolutionary"--Boston Globe
Order a copy

Soul Made Flesh: The Discovery of the Brain and How It Changed the World

"Fascinating...thrilling... Zimmer has produced a top-notch work of popular science."--Los Angeles Times
Order a copy

"As thorough as it is graceful...This is as fine a book as one will find on the subject."--Scientific American
Order a copy

"A book capable of changing how we see the world."--The Los Angeles Times
Reissued with a new epilogue by the author.
Order a copy

At the Water's Edge: Fish With Fingers, Whales With Legs, and How Life Came Ashore But Then Went Back to The Sea

"A fascinating story, which Zimmer unfolds as a tale of high-stakes scientific sleuthing."--Booklist
Order a copy