whysharksmatter.bsky.social
I am a marine conservation biologist studying sharks and a science writer. Posts are about science and the environment, science communication, and more! He/him
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Why you gotta make me feel old like that Alex
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đ
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Oooo!
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Oh really? Thatâs actually really helpful to know. Thanks
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Iâm so torn, because I love my âask me anythingsâ and having anyone ask me questions is an important component of my outreach goals
But on the other hand
Jesus Christ some of these replies
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If in doubt, make yourself the protagonist. Itâs a cheap move, but effective - tell us how you learned the stuff youâre talking about, and how it felt, and we will remember more.
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Rules can be subverted, but usually when that works it is because there are multiply stories, adroitly handled. If in doubt: tell one story.
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Stories have a beginning, a middle and an end. Your talk, or sections of it, should do too. It should be clear how you got from one to the other. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIDn...
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Another: stories have characters. You must introduce people youâre talking about, but itâs best if they hang around for a bit, or if they are clearly ushered off stage. Same goes for ideas.
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Another example: humour in a technical talk only works if it fits the story. (As any comedian will tell you). You canât randomly decide to have a funny bit, unless thatâs been set up or the humour is about the content of the story.
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Nor can you just assume people want to know things that you know: you must tell a story, not list facts.
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You must explain things (you canât easily overestimate what people know, or underestimate their interest) but as you go, not all at once.
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I know that sounds simple, but it has profound consequences. For example, it means you should not front load a technical talk with the background knowledge needed to understand the second half. Those who know it hear nothing of interest, and those who donât get a textbook
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And because every time I talk about #anglerfish, I need to bring up this epic cartoon by the @theoatmeal.bsky.social theoatmeal.com/comics/angler Go for the illustrations and stay for the science.