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Date of publication Jun 21, 2006 Category: Commentary

Evolution and creation in the arena of scientific communication

by Telmo Pievani

The debate on Darwin’s theory of evolution is a unique case for observing some particular ways in which science is perceived and experienced in society. It is a dispute which is really not very scientific at all, since it ultimately derives from the attempt to discredit a corroborated scientific explanation (and to limit its teaching) by fundamentalist fringe groups of religious and political movements of various extraction. However, it is undeniable that the clash between creationists and evolutionists must also involve, in a critical and self-reflective way, the communicative weaknesses of science and its inability to assert itself as a widespread and fully shared culture, as was also stressed by the Nature magazine in April 2005. With an international viewpoint, ranging from the United States to Europe, from Australia to Italy, in this dossier we try to make a summary investigation of the current state of the debate, with a particularly attentive eye on the communicative strategies that contend in the two fields.

Two stories about evolution on The New York Times and a strange “editorial balance”
by Niles Eldredge

The communication strategies of neocreationism between the United States and Europe
by Astrid Pizzo

Not all Americans are creationists. Not all creationists are American
by Marco Ferrari

The disease and the treatment: some remarks on the Darwin issue Italian school curricula
by Carla Castellacci

Fundamentalism and science
by Massimo Pigliucci

Volume 5Issue 022006
Date of publication Sep 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

Science communication between scientists and publics in developing countries. A knowledge-sharing experience

by Marzia Mazzonetto , Peter McGrath

How does knowledge sharing affect scientists' everyday work in developing countries? And how important is it for the development not only of new scientific research, but also for improving the living conditions of local inhabitants? These are the questions that a group of scientists met to discuss during an international workshop on Knowledge Sharing for Local Development in the South held in Trieste, Italy (4-6 July 2005). Based on their personal experiences, their thoughts and opinions create an interesting insight into new practices for the public communication of science, medicine and technology from a point of view that is often under-estimated: the one of the scientists themselves. The workshop, organized by the Third World Network of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO) and the United Nations Development Programme's Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (UNDP-SSC), showcased 15 case studies that utilized a variety of knowledge sharing methods, and, in doing so, highlighted the critical role that knowledge sharing plays in sustainable development. For more information: http://www.twnso.org

Scaling up communication of scientific information to rural communities
by Kong Luen Heong and Monina Escalada

Networking at global and community levels for control of diseases
by Indira Nath

Communication for development. An Indian experience
by Subbiah Arunachalam

Knowledge sharing for sustainable development through biodiversity conservation in the Mesoamerican region
by Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath

Knowledge sharing (or a life of knowledge sharing)
by Faustino Siñeriz

Volume 4Issue 032005
Date of publication Sep 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

Knowledge sharing (or a life of knowledge sharing)

by Faustino Siñeriz

I have been involved in College education since my days as a student in the Universidad de Buenos Aires. At that time, 1960, I helped to teach the course of Scientific Russian given in the Faculty of Sciences; strange as it might seem, the aim of the course was to allow the students to use scientific books especially in the area of Physics and Mathematics.

Volume 4Issue 032005
Date of publication Sep 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

Knowledge sharing for sustainable development through biodiversity conservation in the Mesoamerican region

by Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath

As recognized by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, the human community has reached a point in which it is faced with an array of choices that will determine the quality of our lives and the state of the global environment for present and future generations. One possibility is that at long last we will pave a path toward environmental stewardship and sustainable development. But it is also quite possible that we will travel a less enlightened course, running down the earth's natural capital and severely limiting the choices our descendants will face.

Volume 4Issue 032005
Date of publication Sep 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

Communication for development. An Indian experience

by Subbiah Arunachalam

"Knowledge and information are essential for people to respond successfully to the opportunities and challenges of social, economic and technological changes (...). But to be useful, knowledge and information must be effectively communicated to people", says the Food and Agricultural Organization. India is home to a number of ICT-enabled development initiatives, and we will look at one of them to learn how an effective communication strategy is used.

Volume 4Issue 032005
Date of publication Sep 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

Networking at global and community levels for control of diseases

by Indira Nath

The world is facing an unprecedented situation in health management as fast transport and travel lead to spread of diseases at a rate that has not been seen before and into countries that had once conquered them. This is even more evident with infectious diseases which do not respect geopolitical barriers or economic progress. It is becoming increasingly clear that control of such diseases and good practices for public health need global sharing of knowledge and international cooperation. In addition networking of institutions involved in health care with the communities that they serve is fundamental to containing diseases and promoting good health. For reasons as yet unclear even non infectious diseases such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes are also increasing at an alarming rate globally. The advantages of international networking and timely communication which contained three diseases will be discussed in this article.

Volume 4Issue 032005
Date of publication Sep 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

Scaling up communication of scientific information to rural communities

by Kong Luen Heong , Monina Escalada

A wide gap exists between what scientists and rural farmers know. The rapid advancements in digital technology are likely to widen this gap even further. At the farmers' level, this knowledge gap often translates into poor and inefficient management of resources resulting in reduced profits and environmental pollution. Most modern rice cultivars can easily yield more than 5 tons per hectare when well managed, but millions of farmers often get less than 5 tons using the same production inputs.

Volume 4Issue 032005
Date of publication Sep 21, 2005 Category: Focus

What type of Science Communication best suits emerging countries?

by Pietro Greco

If we wish to attempt an initial analysis of the inquiry on the communication of science in Brazil, India and China that JCOM proposed in its three most recent issues, we should paraphrase Chinese science and science-fiction writer, Yan Wu: even though these three countries are emerging in the fields of economy and science, and are now part of a wide group of communicators, promoting numerous methods to divulge information, they don't yet have a sound theory on the communication of science to the public. This is not an insignificant problem because according to David Dickson, the director of SciDev.Net, democratic dialogue on scientific matters is crucial to modern societies. However, it is difficult to propose the highest possible level of democratic dialogue on science topics without having a sound theory about the communication of science. In addition, the difficulties increase in those countries where developing economies and systems of science are both new and impetuous, as is the case of Brazil, India and China.

Volume 4Issue 032005
Date of publication Jun 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

The scientist in the science-based democratic society

by Andrea Cerroni

Volume 4Issue 022005
Date of publication Jun 21, 2005 Category: Commentary

Why we need more thought

by Nigel Sanitt

All science undergraduates should do at least one philosophy course as part of their curriculum to augment their communication skills. This article sets out the arguments and the wider benefits for students of such courses.

Volume 4Issue 022005

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