Science journalists have been called many names, some more memorable than others.
Speaking at the inauguration of the 5th World Conference of Science Journalists, Robyn Williams — the doyen of science broadcasting in Australia — suggested a new analogy: they are like whales in many ways.
To paraphrase his witty opening remarks, whales and science journalists have some things in common (my comments in brackets):
They both respond to lots of free drinks and eats.
In fact, they like to drink vast amounts (though not necessarily the same liquids!).
There is evidence to suggest they are both intelligent species.
They are both endangered too – there are some nasty people out to get them.
Both are free spirits – don’t like being trapped or hounded.
And they are known for occasional mass strandings – in the case of science journalists, it first happened in Tokyo (which choice whales might not approve!), followed by Budapest, Sao Paulo, Montreal and now – Melbourne.
These are the cities that have hosted World Conferences of Science Journalists, beginning in 1992.
It’s an event that happens approxiatemly every three years — or as soon as the next host can line up the massive logistics involved in receiving, feeding and keeping the several hundreds whales – sorry, science journalists – happy.
Robyn is not just a very entertaining broadcaster, but has has written more than 10 books — one of them a novel, 2007: A True Story Waiting to Happen.
By coincidence, the story involves whales – one of his favourite species – and its action starts in April 2007!
Here’s the blurb promoting the book, first published in 2001:
It is the year 2007. The weather is now wreaking turmoil on the planet. Hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, floods, fires, droughts and diseases are sweeping the world with increasing frequency and severity. The poor countries are worst hit, but even the rich ones are no longer immune from major disruption. Big business is worried.
In April 2007, the animals take matters into their own hands. An enormous pod of whales sinks a whale-killing submarine. Massive flocks of pelicans close airports around the world. Huge herds of cattle bring freeways everywhere to a halt, burying cars under mountains of steaming dung.
Desperate to find a solution to the global chaos, the President of the United States calls on the world’s top scientists to explain what it happening and how to stop it. One man, his daughter and her dog hold the key, but before things can get better, they have to get a great deal worse.
Hmmm. Robyn is known and admired for many talents, but perhaps the world hasn’t yet appreciated his powers of prescience.
Having blazed new trails in taking science to the public, Robyn now presents The Science Show on ABC radio.
Related links:
The Science Show story on whale DNA
Robyn Williams interview on ‘scientific whaling’
Open Minds! 
Most entertaining bit of writing!
Sometimes we can’t help but agree that “being buried under heap of cow dung” is absolutely what some deserve! And I am almost being hopeful here!!