“A mistake many scientists make is to view the public as empty vessels, waiting to be filled with the knowledge that will inspire them to line up behind the same agendas as scientists"

U. of Washington Course: Science Students Learning ‘to Tell Stories’ | The Yale Forum on Climate Change & The Media

Doughton’s article also reports a science writing teacher, Deborah Illman, offering a word of caution to scientists: “A mistake many scientists make is to view the public as empty vessels, waiting to be filled with the knowledge that will inspire them to line up behind the same agendas as scientists,” Doughton wrote in paraphrasing Illman. And that’s the case even if it’s only to support funding for scientific research.

In reality, “people make decisions based on many factors, including emotions and values. Scientists who approach public outreach with a strident agenda can turn people off,” Doughton wrote.