NSF Director Lane Addresses The Arlington Rotary Club

Late last month, NSF Director Neal Lane, who has called on scientists to become more active in communicating with the public, addressed the Arlington, VA Rotary Club. If is of note that this speech, portions of which follow, was covered in a prominent article in “The Washington Post.”

”...for me, this visit marks the beginning of what I hope will be an on-going dialogue with you....

“I must confess that I considered today’s meeting such an important event that I wrote an editorial for the magazine, `American Scientist,’ that I entitled `The Arlington Rotary Club.’

“The title, `The Arlington Rotary Club,’ attracted considerable attention, as I had hoped, in a magazine which has probably never published those three words before, in any combination. Few things strike more fear into the hearts of scientists--who are otherwise supremely confident--than the prospect of speaking to an audience of many non-scientists. And so the article seemed to get a pretty careful reading.

“Scientists, as you probably already know, like to talk to each other. We have our conferences, workshops, and seminars where we converse in a jargon that can sound like its own form of `Close Encounters Of The Third Kind.’

“I am a physicist and I have been told that physicists are a bit odd. About a year ago the wonderfully witty journalist with `The Washington Post,’ Joel Achenbach, wrote a tongue-in-cheek description of a physics conference. He said, “When you picture a physicist you should imagine a person in darkness, holding a remote-control device, lecturing,...” Frankly, I don’t see what is so strange about that! It’s how I grew up! I hope I can offer some thoughts today with the lights on and the language accessible.

“In my editorial in the `American Scientist,’ I spoke of the importance of scientists getting out of their labs, off their campuses, away from their computers, and into a dialogue with the American public. I used myself as an example of someone who lacks frequent experience in talking about science to audiences that are not scientists or specialists in science policy.

”...In a sense, NSF gives grants to people who pose probing and insightful questions and then relentlessly test the answers till they create new kernels of knowledge and understanding. These kernels are like pebbles tossed into a pool of water. They generate an ever expanding series of circles--circles of open knowledge for others to contemplate, add to, and combine for amazingly varied and practical uses.

“The Nobel prize-winning physicist, Charles Townes, proved the concept behind the laser in the 1950’s. [He was not supported by NSF but by our Wilson Blvd.

neighbor, the Office of Naval Research (ONR).] This discovery was the pebble that eventually led to commercial lasers that read compact disks, perform eye surgery and burn away blood clots, and pulse phone calls and computer data through thousands of miles of optical fiber. It is speculated that there are many more circles to come from this one pebble. And so you might say that we and our fellow science agencies are in the business of funding ‘pebble shooters.’

“At NSF, all of our surveys show that the public is interested in science, and believe science is important but nonetheless those surveyed also believe they have very limited scientific understanding. When I mention this to scientific audiences I suggest to them that the survey results perhaps tell us more about the science community than about the American public. I have pointed out that this disconnect between the public being interested in science yet feeling that their knowledge is very limited should give all of us something to ponder.

“There is no doubt that scientists are intense about what they’re doing and the minutia of their particular discipline or sub field. And yet everyone, scientists included, should be able to explain what they do and make it sound sensible or relevant. If I were a surgeon, or a plumber, or a journalist, or even a musician, I could report on the kind of surgeries, leaky faucets, news stories, or compositions I had worked on. When you’re a scientist, the things that you do on any given day in the laboratory are not very interesting even to your spouse, although you find them completely absorbing. I know this from personal experience.

“And so there is this odd contradiction because almost all people are interested in how things happen or why they happen or how they work, but there is a narrow and minute level of detail that most scientists work at that can quickly baffle or bore even other scientists. A partial solution to this disconnect is to educate scientists on how to be better communicators not only about their particular work but about the role and value of science and technology to society. Some scientists are skilled communicators--Carl Sagan, Stephen Gould--but the number is small.

“While on the one hand, science seems very remote to most people, it is, on the other hand, completely pervasive in our lives. The world is so infused with the stuff of science that we often don’t recognize how it permeates every detail of our daily routine.... [At this point, Lane cites various uses of technology.]

“So, why do I think it is important for scientists to get out of their labs and engage in a genuine dialogue in their communities? It is not because I think that they have the only important things to say, but rather that they need to hear what everyone else has to say, as well as offer their own information and opinions. Will this make them better scientists? Probably. I have frequently pointed out that in America we are able to do outstanding science at the same time that many societal disparities and problems are increasing. Maybe the most important goal should be to understand the physical, moral, and social problems that hold us in the grip of numerous contradictions. Surely we can only do this together, through regular and open discussions.

“Now, am I suggesting by my comments that science is not important or inherently useful? Just the opposite. The contributions of science and technology to our society translate into high economic and social value. Economists of all political stripes have estimated that our national investments in support of science and technology activities yield rates of return in the range of 20-30 percent. I wish I could find a broker who would promise a similar return, an honest one.

“One need look no further than the streets of Arlington to find high-tech industry. There are major players like MCI and American Management Systems. Just as important, however, is science and technology as a driver of small business development. I know I can rely on you to provide me with the best examples from your own experience.

“Suffice it to say that all these returns flow back to our society in new industries, high-value jobs, and highly competitive products and services for the domestic and global marketplace. They bring us better health care, a cleaner environment, and an improved standard of living. Despite this, science by itself cannot answer the hardest questions.

“The most fundamental problems in all societies are human problems and they are similar on the local and global scale. How can we nurture and educate all children, inhibit violence, provide meaningful work for all? Science can help solve these and myriad others that exist. But science is only one of numerous components that are needed.

“I am asking scientists and engineers to actively reach out in their communities and engage in a genuine dialogue. I am asking you to reach out to scientists, and technical professionals as you have done to me, and share with them the problems and issues of concern in this community. Rotarians, especially, have the gift of reaching out. Together, we can keep talking and moving toward beneficial solutions.”

NOTE: The American Institute of Physics has a series of exhibits entitled “Physics Success Stories” that can assist scientists in communicating with Members of Congress and the public about the value of science. Five of these exhibits have been produced, and five more will be available in the future. To receive the initial set of these “Stories” please send us your name and address.