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I think some of the teasing is that which we inflict on ourselves. NASA wants to keep people interested and excited about their mission of course. But press co

I think some of the teasing is that which we inflict on ourselves. NASA wants to keep people interested and excited about their mission of course. But press conferences like these are also to stir up interest in the greater scientific community. Announcements like these might be disappointing to us lay persons who are waiting for the "we found life!" headline, but they can generate huge excitement in astronomy circles.

anigbrowl 10y ago
But that's the problem, it's too much marketing and not enough product. So I see it turns out that we've now identified 7 earth-like planets orbiting a star, where previously we thought we had 3 planets. That's a significant technical advance, which is certainly a Good Thing. But the average non-scientist/ non-technician looks at this and sees a big build-up followed by by a nothingburger, which is a very Bad Thing because it lowers public respect for science. It would have been much better to say 'exoplanet detection continues to improve, full details wednesday'. We're not inflicting the teasing on ourselves because we're not the ones holding back information to create excitement and anticipation. This was a minor update that was presented as something major.
- ckozlowski 10y ago
  I see your point. But is it NASA that's responsible for all of the build-up? Earlier today, Washington Post posted the big red "Breaking news" banner once the press conference started and announced 7 planets. The story is now front and center on their page. Is it a "nothingburger" if the press presents it as major as well? While I often think the general public isn't the primary audience for these kinds of announcements, seeing the mainstream excitement for this astronomy result has me wondering if we underestimate the public. Perhaps most people do have a greater respect than we realize.

anigbrowl 10y ago

But that's the problem, it's too much marketing and not enough product. So I see it turns out that we've now identified 7 earth-like planets orbiting a star, where previously we thought we had 3 planets. That's a significant technical advance, which is certainly a Good Thing. But the average non-scientist/ non-technician looks at this and sees a big build-up followed by by a nothingburger, which is a very Bad Thing because it lowers public respect for science. It would have been much better to say 'exoplanet detection continues to improve, full details wednesday'. We're not inflicting the teasing on ourselves because we're not the ones holding back information to create excitement and anticipation. This was a minor update that was presented as something major.

ckozlowski 10y ago
I see your point. But is it NASA that's responsible for all of the build-up? Earlier today, Washington Post posted the big red "Breaking news" banner once the press conference started and announced 7 planets. The story is now front and center on their page. Is it a "nothingburger" if the press presents it as major as well? While I often think the general public isn't the primary audience for these kinds of announcements, seeing the mainstream excitement for this astronomy result has me wondering if we underestimate the public. Perhaps most people do have a greater respect than we realize.