The Importance of Effective Communication

I'm not sure what the naked thing is about. I always assumed that it had something to do with intimidation.

That's odd, they actually do have communication skills courses as compulsory in maths degrees at my university (probably for most science, as well).

They had it compulsory at mine for engineering.

It was just part of the basics in mine. But then I was undeclared before going for fine arts. *shrug* But that's just the first semester course. Guess in certain majors you're going to end up looking for jobs where you're required to speak publicly more than others.

It's a matter of division of labor. Being persuasive communicators towards the laymen is not something most scientists (climatologists or otherwise) excel at — why they should? They spend most of they time doing research, and it's difficult and time-consuming work already.

If you are arguing that there should be more positions for people who learn how to communicate the essence of scientific results to the great public, I can agree; but scientists, as a whole, are busy enough with their work already.

Actually, the topic is more about the importance of being able to communicate our ideas effectively. All the positions to speak science in the world don't matter if you haven't learned how to communicate it effectively.

The reason scientists have difficulty communicating well with the public is because there are often uncertainties, technicalities and complexities built into certain topics that aren't easily explained. However, when these technicalities and complexities are dropped, this is noticed and used as an argument against their case by people with opposing views.

It's a lose lose situation for people trying to explain complex situations, people don't have the attention span or prior knowledge for proper explanations, and improper explanations and simplifications are bashed by those with proper knowledge and/or agendas.

Currently taking a communications class in college. I'm honestly learning a lot, but it's probably because I'm an English major and this is pretty important. It's definitely an important class to take and I think it should be brought up earlier than college. Most high school speeches are rare, maybe one or two a year if that, and there's little focus on it from the teachers.

Communication and getting message to the right people is definitely important, but the real problem is when someone adapts their message to appeal to people, and their opponents on the topic point out their "tricks" and "misleading comments."