ABOUT A WORD

I said on the first day of Urgent Agenda that we'd assault those who diminish the language.  So, I'd like to single out one of the most abused words of our time:  scientist. 

We're told that thousands of "scientists" sign this or that petition, or that other "scientists" warn about climate catastrophes.  Of course, "scientists" develop the drugs we swear by and the devices we swear at. 

But the word is very pale in meaning.  Science today is highly specialized.  There are "scientists" with doctoral degrees whose knowledge of some scientific fields is limited to what they learned in high school.  They sign petitions not because they know anything, but because they have an agenda.

If you see a news outlet use the word "scientist" loosely, don't hesitate to call or write.  Insist that the reporter tell you the scientist's specialty, his or her background, what the scientist actually knows.  You'll be performing a public service, and maybe even scientists will thank you.

Posted on January 18, 2008.