4 ms·

Seeing "atoms" used in reference to water molecules has me feeling a particular way. Am I nitpicking too hard? -- edit: moccachino makes a good point below th

Seeing "atoms" used in reference to water molecules has me feeling a particular way. Am I nitpicking too hard? -- edit: moccachino makes a good point below that I missed on my first two passes -- it's referring to the actual positioning of the atoms within water molecules, which makes sense now that I'm giving it another pass. This is evident in referring in one part to "oxygen atoms" specifically.

moccachino 9y ago
It seems to me the usage is correct, they are referencing the atoms that make up the water molecules.
- eganist 9y ago
  It took me your comment to realize it. Thanks for pointing it out: the point that wasn't effectively conveyed to me was that the actual relative positioning of oxygen atoms relative to each other seems to be shifting under pressure. This speaks well to DrNuke's point as well.
DrNuke 9y ago
Communicating research to non-specialists in an effective manner is the highest regarded soft skill for STEM profiles doing r&d these days, so yes you are possibly nitpicking here.
- ianai 9y ago
  <snip> sorry I said anything
  - carlmr 9y ago
    Nobody says they pay well for it. It's still journalism.
  - amelius 9y ago
    Start with blogging, and build a portfolio.
  - haZard_OS 9y ago
    I believe the parent post is referring to actual scientists/researchers who ALSO communicate well...not people who are not in R&D but happen to communicate well.
  - lamename 9y ago
    You could always try working for https://www.khanacademy.org/ https://www.khanacademy.org/ or some similar organization
  - lamename 9y ago
    Regardless of the parent comments meaning, there's value in communicating complex ideas simply. You didn't have to snip your comment. If you want a job related to that kind of work, broadly, I'd search around for any STEM journalism or education related. Also many public health/nonprofits might have a significant outreach arm if they're large. Or you could go the blogger/educational youtuber route. Less traditional but pros and cons. Disclaimer: no first hand experience here, just my observations of others. Good luck!
borkt 9y ago
As moccachino said it is the correct usage. I went to school for materials science and had a particular interest in ice physics.

moccachino 9y ago

It seems to me the usage is correct, they are referencing the atoms that make up the water molecules.

eganist 9y ago
It took me your comment to realize it. Thanks for pointing it out: the point that wasn't effectively conveyed to me was that the actual relative positioning of oxygen atoms relative to each other seems to be shifting under pressure. This speaks well to DrNuke's point as well.

DrNuke 9y ago

Communicating research to non-specialists in an effective manner is the highest regarded soft skill for STEM profiles doing r&d these days, so yes you are possibly nitpicking here.

ianai 9y ago
<snip> sorry I said anything
- carlmr 9y ago
  Nobody says they pay well for it. It's still journalism.
- amelius 9y ago
  Start with blogging, and build a portfolio.
- haZard_OS 9y ago
  I believe the parent post is referring to actual scientists/researchers who ALSO communicate well...not people who are not in R&D but happen to communicate well.
- lamename 9y ago
  You could always try working for https://www.khanacademy.org/ https://www.khanacademy.org/ or some similar organization
- lamename 9y ago
  Regardless of the parent comments meaning, there's value in communicating complex ideas simply. You didn't have to snip your comment. If you want a job related to that kind of work, broadly, I'd search around for any STEM journalism or education related. Also many public health/nonprofits might have a significant outreach arm if they're large. Or you could go the blogger/educational youtuber route. Less traditional but pros and cons. Disclaimer: no first hand experience here, just my observations of others. Good luck!

borkt 9y ago

As moccachino said it is the correct usage. I went to school for materials science and had a particular interest in ice physics.