Please indulge my two complaints about this week's science journalism:
1. Every time I heard a journalist bring up the gravitational wave news, it was framed as: "Wow this is bending my mind! Dizzying! Let's bring in our two nerds to discuss it further."
I guarantee you gravitational waves are less complex than, say, the Israeli/Palestinian situation. The performative blown minds aren't helping make people feel nature is normal and accessible.
2. Dear journalists, the air quality isn't "purple" or "maroon," it's "very unhealthy" or "hazardous." There are actual recommended words and phrases to describe the severity and health impacts of a high Air Quality Index. Use them. The visualization isn't the thing; the bad air is the thing.
I've just seen the sixth reference in the last 24 hours to the color of the AQI map. Tell people it's the equivalent to smoking half a pack of cigarettes, tell people with asthma to limit outdoor time and wear an n95.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk.
Via @
Alexandre B A Villares 🐍
