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<\/dt>\nAn article in last week\u2019s Chronicle of Higher Education<\/a> has the best metaphor for this syndrome that I\u2019ve heard: Scientists become turtles. They\u2019re discouraged from media relations, and thus never get better at it, and they don\u2019t think it\u2019s their job.\u00a0 As author Michael Munger<\/a>, professor of political science at Duke University, puts it:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo whether it\u2019s \u2018I\u2019m not good enough\u2019 or \u2018I\u2019m not paid enough,\u2019 faculty members turn into turtles. They draw their heads and limbs inside a protective shell and won\u2019t come out. If they do poke their heads out briefly, they embarrass themselves because they have no mental framework for media relations. It is not hard, really, compared with teaching. It is just different, different enough that turning into a turtle becomes a natural, permanent response.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Munger makes the interesting case that even though reporters sometimes ask bad questions, use quotes that you don\u2019t want them to use, and get the crux of the story wrong, we shouldn\u2019t blame them or question their motives. Instead, we should remember that they are professionals who know their jobs and know what people will find most interesting.\u00a0 So if a reporter uses your flip comment about stem cells instead of the meaty bit about your research, Munger suggests that you turn the blame on yourself. Ask yourself, he says, \u201cHow did I allow the producers to make that choice? Why did they not use what I thought was the best part of the interview?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Obviously this blogger thinks that science communication is a public duty that scientists should engage in. And, as Munger points out, the better you become at it the more fun it will be.<\/span><\/p>\n What do you think about scientists engaging in media outreach? Is it a worthwhile endeavor that can reach out to the under-informed public, or is it a bother that takes time away from the important things, like research?<\/span><\/p>\n