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Explaining Science With Substance ... And Style Scientists sometimes have a hard time communicating new research in a way that makes a more general audience care. In his new book Don't Be Such A Scientist, Randy Olson — a marine biology professor turned filmmaker — shares his hypotheses about why scientists need to communicate their substance with a little more style.

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Explaining Science With Substance ... And Style

Heard on Talk of the Nation

Explaining Science With Substance ... And Style

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In 1994, Randy Olson left his tenured spot at the University of New Hampshire for a career in Hollywood. "I knew a lot," he recalls. "I figured I must know more about communication than the 'idiots' in Hollywood. Boy, was I wrong." Island Press hide caption

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Island Press

In 1994, Randy Olson left his tenured spot at the University of New Hampshire for a career in Hollywood. "I knew a lot," he recalls. "I figured I must know more about communication than the 'idiots' in Hollywood. Boy, was I wrong."

Island Press

Scientists sometimes have a hard time communicating new research in a way that makes a more general audience care. In his new book Don't Be Such A Scientist, Randy Olson — a marine biology professor turned filmmaker — shares his hypotheses about why scientists need to communicate their substance with a little more style.

"With the knowledge of science we can solve resource limitations, cure diseases, and make society work happily," he writes, "but only if people can figure out what in the world scientists are talking about and why they should care."