The book contains a lot of information about how to promote science, from blogs to press conferences. The book contains a lot of useful informationa and should be required reading for anyone doing physics research.
The one thing that I slightly disliked about the book was that he wanted everything done by professionals. For example he sugggested that pictures and videos should be taken by experts. What I dislike about some of the outreach activities, is that it encourages a passive consumption of knowldge. In particle physics all you usually get is some expert (who should be worshiped) spouting crap about something. They are usually not "dumming down", because what they talk about has no connection to the research they do. For example what does pretty boy Cox's research on diffraction have to do with time?
Obviously the string theory people pioneered this type of fantasy self promotion, and they have ended up making bankers seem honest. For me the issue is not using complicated jargon, but the outreach should reflect what we actually do, which is problem solving and collaboration, rather than promote some myth of a lone genius.
Obviously the string theory people pioneered this type of fantasy self promotion, and they have ended up making bankers seem honest. For me the issue is not using complicated jargon, but the outreach should reflect what we actually do, which is problem solving and collaboration, rather than promote some myth of a lone genius.
I think that Meredith's point that the public is not interested in a picture of a research group standing around is correct. Anyway some people reading this text will think, er Craig, you are not exactly famous for doing any outreach. Yeah, well I am thinking about it....
Explaining research is important now that particle physics is under attack again in the UK.