Alan Alda’s romance tips for researchers
Photo courtesy of Alan Alda
Are you on a blind date with science? Does talk of protons and prophase make you anxious and stressed? According to actor Alan Alda, most Americans need a little help getting past their first-date jitters and into a meaningful and comfortable relationship with science.
Alda, host of PBS’ Scientific American Frontiers and star of the TV series M*A*S*H, was one of the leading scientists and communicators offering "wooing tips" for researchers during an April workshop sponsored by the Center for Communicating Science.
The center is a collaboration among Brookhaven National Laboratory, Stony Brook University, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. The workshop included sessions on social media, writing for the public, and doing TV interviews, along with improvisational theater games that had scientists mirroring each other’s movements and creating things out of imaginary space.
"Don't be afraid to share your excitement about science," Alda said. "Let’s tell stories and excite the lust in one another for the curiosity that we have, and let’s fall in love with science."
Alda said scientists should court the public through the three stages of falling in love:
- inflame their interest by using engaging body language and tone,
- foster infatuation by telling captivating stories that engage the emotions,
- and win their commitment to learn more.
Everyone has a story to tell about science, Alda said. The goal is tell it so vividly—with all the twists and suspense of a good detective story— that it sticks in the heads of the audience.
Kendra Snyder
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