From the cabinet of entertainment
As some of you might already know, my favorite SciComm Youtube Channel is Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell. Not only their videos are scientifically accurate and extremely easy to understand, but the animations and the illustrations they use are some of my favorite #Sciart styles. They are cute, and they incorporate so many elements of good design. And their color palette is just so captivating!
While I recommend you go and watch all their videos about the immune system (you know.. being in global pandemic and all...), the video I want to share here is more meta.
The editorial team at Kurzgesagt questions the nature of science communication itself. They reflect on how we need to tell “children lies” to simplify concepts, how experts use models to describe complex realities, and how these techniques risk to degenerate into sensationalist media or overconfidence and misunderstanding. What is even more interesting is that they open a channel for dialogue, sharing upfront that they are lying to us, and inviting us to be a part in the conversation.
Instead of taking the place of the expert on a pulpit, they stand on the ground and explain the process of SciComm (and the process of Science itself, that by its own nature it is always lying). This way, they make it easier to understand why things might not be as simple as they are presented, or why they might need to amend things in the future to make sure their video reflect the most recent and most accurate science we collectively know at any given moment.
Watch the video and let me know what you think! I’d be happy to open a discussion on Twitter on this topic ;)
