And a controversial new book, Our Stolen Future, alleges that almost all man-made chemicals are doing us in. Next week, all that could be thrown out the window. Look on any newspaper's front page, watch the evening newscasts, check out the water-cooler conversations. What you are told about these subjects varies as scientific studies are conducted, refined, and revised. Don't get caught halfway along the learning curve, though, or you'll be hopelessly out of step.
Scientists make mistakes.
But there is a hue and cry from the public for information, and stories that normally wouldn't be there are pushed to the front page very quickly. Twenty years ago, scientists couldn't have cared less about publicity. Now, pressure to publish prominently often causes scientists to speculate publicly on the public impact of science when the results of their research don't warrant it. A related problem, Shell says, is that scientists don't trust the public to appreciate nuance - nor do many journalists. Nothing in between.