Mind Your Manners

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 2010 · The Scientist, 24(1):23

OSTI ID:974946

Wiley, H S

There has been a lot of talk in the media about the loss of courtesy in modern society. By many criteria, it seems that people in general have lost a degree of politeness. Reading some of the online comments after several recent articles in The Scientist would seem to indicate that biologists have also lost their manners. This lack of basic manners alarms me not only because of the obvious danger to our sense of community, but also because this type of behavior could damage society’s positive perception of scientists. Every time scientists (or anonymous bloggers posing as scientists) rant about the idiocy of someone who disagrees with them, our collective credibility erodes. Yes, there are a number of issues that we as scientists should be passionate about, but our objectives are best served by retaining an objective demeanor and respecting those to whom we happen to disagree.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 974946
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-70034; KP1704020
• Journal Information: The Scientist, 24(1):23, Journal Name: The Scientist, 24(1):23 Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 24
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
BEHAVIOR
HUMAN POPULATIONS
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
PUBLIC OPINION
opinion
scientist
communication