Posted by Pat on October 24, 1999 at 00:52:47:
In Reply to: Appropriate Outlets posted by Tom on October 23, 1999 at 23:13:02:
Tom:
I didn't say that my research on Sagan was historical scholarship.
Pat:
I was wondering. It didn't seem as though you knew enough about the history of science to be an historian.
Tom:
Historians as a rule are disinterested in popular histories such as one finds in Sagan's writing.
Pat:
Planetary scientists are generally disinterested in Cosmos as well. But it's still really good science. The jargon's been toned down, and there's not as much detail. But it's good for the public, which wouldn't otherwise read about it.
(That's not to denigrate what Sagan is attempting to do) My field, Communication Studies, specializes in such activities of public communication.
Pat:
It's not as though you're alone. A lot of scientists sneer at "popularizers".