The new campaign went public yesterday, and there was much commentary. It kicked off with a piece by Dan Vergano in USA Today, in which Vergano quoted the campaign's leading rocker Debby Harry of "Blondie": "All these people are doing great things. We have to get the word out." Well, it has gotten out:
Here's a report at The Scientist by Amy Maxmen, debating whether the campaign will work to address scientific literacy. (I will have more to say on this point.) Here's a report at Science magazine, also asking whether the campaign can "cut through the noise." (Well, if anything can....) Here's Phil Plait, who doesn't hold anything back: "I am insanely jealous. I love Heart, and had a bit of a crush on both Ann and Nancy Wilson when I was in high school. And, um, maybe I still do, a little. But c’mon! Barracuda! Crazy On You! Magic Man! Awesome sauce." Here's my blog piece at New Scientist, entitled "Scientists and Musicians: Separated at Birth?" Here's Eva Amsen at The Node, who writes: "Jealous? Keep up the research, and maybe one day it will be you rubbing shoulders with musicians in a glossy photo shoot." Here's James Hrynyshyn, very reasonably asking, where are the rock stars of climate science? (I agree, they deserve acclaim as well.) Here's Chad Orzel at Uncertain Principles, who writes: "I like the fact that some people who know stuff about selling glamor are getting involved with science. We could use more of this kind of thing." Here's Hemant Mehta, the Friendly Atheist: "The goal is to get people excited about scientists — you can be the judge of whether that will happen." (It is happening as we speak.) Here's SciCurious at Neurotic Physiology: "I am personally thrilled that they have made an effort to include more women and minorities in this years spread, and that they got some leather jackets in the mix."
This is just a sampling of links, compiled quickly before I had to race back out for the second day of the NSF training. I'm sure I've missed a lot. I'll update this post as I come across more links--and don't hesitate to send them to me!
