It's Like Not Wearing Your Cleats in the House

Carl Zimmer, one of my favorite science writers, recently posted about three new books aimed at scientists: Unscientific America, Am I Making Myself Clear?, and Don't Be Such a Scientist. All three are aimed squarely at the biggest problem modern science faces–the inability of most scientists to explain themselves to non-specialists–and all three are now on my read-soon list. I don't think communication skills will ever be part of this course, but given the problems our planet faces, they damn well need to be part of every scientist's education.