Media Criticism

Though magazines like Popular Science are not considered part of the mainstream media, they are still an important source of information. How they present scientific information influences how people view science and technology. This, in turn, influences the actions of readers.

The August 2007 issue just passed across my desk, and I thought an article on its treatment of green technology was in order. Many of the articles revolve around the issue of the environment, which is interesting because it suggests that the general perception of the public is changing. When it comes to the environment, scientists often sound like doomsday predictors; our habits today have serious consequences in the foreseeable future.

However, the magazine offers a host of solutions to the problem. The article “Choking At The Olympics”, for instance, describes the methods by which China is trying to clean air for the 2008 Olympic Games. Most of the articles, in fact, are about the environment and deal with advancing technology to protect the planet. There are all sorts of interesting nuggets in here, including an idea to “re-ice the arctic” by building a giant water-powered ice machine. There are blueprints of everything from an environmentally friendly laptop to pumps that prevent hurricanes.

The ideas themselves are worth reading, and the issue as a whole reveals something new about the American scientific consciousness: we realize we face serious consequences if we do not act to protect our world. “Save the Trees”-style campaigns are no longer enough; we need technological innovation. We’re looking to science to pull us out of this mire, and, from the looks of it, science is working to deliver.

My only worry is that news of scientific progress may cause some to ignore their personal roles in protecting the environment. While technological advancement is necessary, it is not sufficient to sustaining life as we know it. We cannot rely too much on technology to solve our woes; by the time the scientists come up with new answers, it may be too late. Ideally, other media will do their jobs and speak this message, too.