Science in the Media - Essay Example

Science in media Science in media Science is more based on empirical evidence. Scientists go through a series of steps to ensure that the hypothesis they gain is scientifically proven through empirical research for them to become scientific facts (Lavender, 2011). Thus, when I hear the word scientist, I envision lots of experiments in a bid to try and prove various hypotheses around the globe. I envision individuals who come up with creative ideas either to impart knowledge or as an entertainment for the people. From this, the characters that come to mind are the likes of C.A Rotwang who is a fictional scientist and was behind the make of the science fiction movie called the metropolis. He worked in an underground lab and created a look alike of C3PO fembot in the same image of his deceased wife. This went on to become the leader of the oppressed working class in the city and incited chaos in the area thus plunging metropolis into chaos. There are also the likes of Dr. Carson Beckett who made the discovery of the ATA gene, and professor Cuthbert calculus responsible for the development of the first submarine meant for one man. Since these are fictional scientists they have common characteristics. First, they often make things more interesting and attractive than it would be in normal circumstances. Second, they involve technology and incorporate ideas that may not be visible in this time period. They may speculate on the future by conducting numerous research or they insert real scientific notions into certain timeframes that they did not exist. Moreover, personally, I have three characteristics that of my vision of a scientist (Gossin, 2012). The scientist has to be patient and determined. The reason is that they have to conduct numerous researches that may sometimes not prevent the best conclusion that the scientist would want. The scientist has to be well informed on scientific matters. Thus, they have to read extensively to acquire more knowledge and information that they would find useful for them. I think what scientists do have not changed over time. Since the times of the likes of Albert Einstein and Sir Isaac Newton, though they were not fictional scientists, they have always conducted research before coming up with a scientific fact. They have always been patient and even incorporate the expertise of other similar scientists for their opinion. This has not changed much in this modern era for the scientists. The only issue that might have simplified what they do is the use of advanced technology, which was not there in the past era of scientists. There has also been the emergence of new and youthful scientists who have brought about creative ideas. Fictional scientists try as much as possible to come up with imaginative content which often explores the consequences that might result from scientific and other forms of innovations. They are often involved with writing various possible options to the world and the future. Their scientific explanations and stories are different form fantasy since they are possible within various scientifically proven contexts. They base their stories on high levels of suspensions or even disbelief which enables the audience to have potential solutions to their various elements of fiction. Fictional scientists are heroes. As heroes, they try to come up with a story which the audience can identify with. The audience empathizes and shares their pain in the story and understands the message put across as they are able to relate with it (Stableford, 2006). They try to come up with envisioned and scientifically researched issues and give out means of surpassing them. For instance, they can come up with a story about individuals struggling with an incurable disease that has not yet occurred in this lifetime. Then they come up with a happy ending showing how the individuals with the disease triumphed over it. Science is seen in fictional media as being educative. The reader of science fiction is often encouraged through his or her reading not to fear the emergence of change. Individuals are encouraged to accept it since it is an exciting experience. Science fiction argues that change results from the making of man. Thus, science fiction enables individuals to handle future shock since they have been able to view options of their future through science fiction and imagination. Thus, science is a positive force in the world. The reason is that it is able to prepare individuals for the worst happenings in future. The reason is that it enables individuals in the world to envision how the world would be in future and always comes up with recommendations or solutions for individuals in case such situations happen. Science also tend to sharpen the imaginations of individuals in the world and they are able to imagine how the world would be if certain aspects were put in place. Through various forms of fictional media including television or movies, fictional scientists are able to reach out to members of the public and pass the results of their numerous researches in an entertaining but educative manner. The portrayal of scientists in various forms of media influences how the society views people in this profession. The reason is that people believe in the media and various the various platforms used would determine the validity of the information passed to the people. With the advanced technology nowadays, gone are the days when people had to dig dip on their own about a certain scientists. The media does its best to give insights on the most famous scientists that they believe that their targeted audience would like to hear. Thus, it is important for various media platforms to avoid giving misleading information about the scientists since it would relay spoil the reputation of such scientists on the public. There are various media platforms that are used for this reason including books, movies, television shows and magazines among others. There are situations where certain media platforms provide misleading information about scientists since they believe that is what their audience wants to hear, most of this targeted audience gauge the professionalism of these scientists based on such misleading information. For instance, if a given media platform portrays fictional science as educative, members of the public will view the fictional scientists involved as being educative and influential on matters important for the general public. However, if all a media does is to show boring, un-educative or fictional movies that make use of vulgar language that is the same way that the audience will view the fictional scientists behind such movies or scientific fictions. They may find the profession as un-educated and not important since it does not add any meanings to their lives. If the members of the society are going to use the professionalism of these scientists is highly determined by how the media portrays them. The portrayal of science in media also influences how certain forms of research and technology is viewed by the general public. Most individuals in the world are aware that scientists today make use of advanced technology to come up with empirical evidence that supports their hypothesis in their research. The forms of technology that such scientists are exposed to will also determine the kind of research that they conduct and which ones they will not. The media acts as the public on search issues. It will highly advertise the types of research that scientists conduct and some go to a greater length of identifying the form of technology that such members of the public used to come up with such types of research. Some media platforms even go to a great length to expound on the research conducted and sometimes give its advantages and their disadvantages. If a given media platform discourages the use of a given research that scientists come up with, then the members of the general public may lose faith in that type of research. For instance, there was a time that certain African countries had been introduced to scientifically and genetically modify organisms to deal with the food insecurities in the area. Various media platforms emerged to criticize the idea of having to consume genetically modified organisms including food items like maize. From this criticism, the general public in that area rejected the generous idea that had been given to them by various scientists of good will who did not want to see more lives lost due to drought conditions in the area. From this, it is evident that the media plays an important role in the how certain research and technology is viewed and accepted. In conclusion, science plays an important part in the lives of individuals in the society. Though scientists have been there for a long time, there has been the emergence of advanced technology which current scientists use. Thus, despite that much have not changed in terms of how scientists come up with empirical ideas, things have been made a bit easier with the use of the emergent technology. Moreover, various media platforms play an important part on how the public views various scientists and the research they conduct. This is why it is important for the media platforms to always produce conclusive and empirically proven evidence on various scientists before revealing any information about them to the public. References Gossin, P. (2012). Encyclopedia of literature and science. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press. Lavender, I. (2011). Race in American science fiction. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. Stableford, B. M. (2006). Science Fact and Science Fiction. Literary Criticism , 729. Read More