08 Feb 08
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensI don't think that's an excuse to dumb things down. Most normal people I know would be able to grasp better scientifical things if they were propperly explained to them. I don't understand why reporters always assume that their readers are dumb.
The article is written for public consumption. If you are interested and would like to judge the validity of the trials you would be reading published journals. Remember newspapers are written by regular folks. Not in this example a physics Phd.
And this type of articles produces a strange phenomenom: Parroting people. Now we can all happily repeat to our friends what was written on the article even though if we don't have a single clue of what it stands for or how it was understood.
Until proven otherwise I always assume that regular folks can use their brain. I have a 4/5 experience on tutoring people on math and physics and everytime I do it my way. I never teach them things like they are teached on the books (normally this are people on the high-school level) and it always seem that they get a deeper and better understanding of what's going on. One of the reactions I get a lot is:"But this seemed so hard!"
09 Feb 08
Originally posted by adam warlockI wasn't making excuses, just stating FACTS!(for Phlab). But the fact remains that even the NY Times is written at a sub 8th grade level. I, like you, would like more information presented when possible. I my self, like reading journal articles. I make my own "news paper" once a week or so ,and it it just a compilation of articles from different professional sources.
I don't think that's an excuse to dumb things down. Most normal people I know would be able to grasp better scientifical things if they were propperly explained to them. I don't understand why reporters always assume that their readers are dumb.
And this type of articles produces a strange phenomenom: Parroting people. Now we can all happily repeat ...[text shortened]... anding of what's going on. One of the reactions I get a lot is:"But this seemed so hard!"
09 Feb 08
Originally posted by cheshirecatstevensIn that case 🙂
I wasn't making excuses, just stating FACTS!(for Phlab). But the fact remains that even the NY Times is written at a sub 8th grade level. I, like you, would like more information presented when possible. I my self, like reading journal articles. I make my own "news paper" once a week or so ,and it it just a compilation of articles from different professional sources.
This is hardly a live or die type of issue but it just gets under my skin the fact that people are treated like morons.