4 ms·

> If we really lost antibiotics to advancing drug resistance — and trust me, we’re not far off When did journalists become biomedical experts? I don't want to

by batbomb 13y ago

> If we really lost antibiotics to advancing drug resistance — and trust me, we’re not far off When did journalists become biomedical experts? I don't want to read a story about a serious subject that says "trust me".

clinton_sf 13y ago
For what it's worth, journalists can and do talk to subject experts. Whether they quote their sources in a casual non-scientific article for Wired magazine is another thing. For more info (e.g., of a journalist talking to doctors and such), take a look at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hunting-the-nightmare-bacteria/ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hunting-the-nightmar...
- dak1 13y ago
  In that case it would be better to write: > If we really lost antibiotics to advancing drug resistance — and many experts agree we may not be far off
  - MatmaRex 13y ago
    I'd say this would be worse. "many experts" is a weasel word, implying an authority behind the statement, but providing no proof of it. And "trust me" is at the least plain and honest.
    - deleted 13y ago
      [deleted]
- refurb 13y ago
  The recent data I've seen suggests that level of multi-drug resistant infections has actually leveled off or dropped slightly. Is it a problem? Yes. Are we close to the end? No.
  - dd36 13y ago
    Watch that PBS Fromtline episode on antibiotic resistance.
ars 13y ago
> When did journalists become biomedical experts? When they write books on the subject? http://superbugthebook.com/ http://superbugthebook.com/ She seems to specialize in medical topics. I don't see any mention of official credentials, but that's not the only way to learn things.
whyenot 13y ago
From her biography > She has won numerous journalism awards and held fellowships with the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the East West Center, the Knight-Wallace Fellows of the University of Michigan, Harvard Medical School and the University of Maryland. She isn't an MD or PhD, but when it comes to medical journalism, that's a pretty impressive list.

by batbomb 13y ago

clinton_sf 13y ago

For what it's worth, journalists can and do talk to subject experts. Whether they quote their sources in a casual non-scientific article for Wired magazine is another thing. For more info (e.g., of a journalist talking to doctors and such), take a look at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hunting-the-nightmare-bacteria/ http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/hunting-the-nightmar...

dak1 13y ago
In that case it would be better to write: > If we really lost antibiotics to advancing drug resistance — and many experts agree we may not be far off
- MatmaRex 13y ago
  I'd say this would be worse. "many experts" is a weasel word, implying an authority behind the statement, but providing no proof of it. And "trust me" is at the least plain and honest.
  - deleted 13y ago
    [deleted]
refurb 13y ago
The recent data I've seen suggests that level of multi-drug resistant infections has actually leveled off or dropped slightly. Is it a problem? Yes. Are we close to the end? No.
- dd36 13y ago
  Watch that PBS Fromtline episode on antibiotic resistance.

ars 13y ago

> When did journalists become biomedical experts? When they write books on the subject? http://superbugthebook.com/ http://superbugthebook.com/ She seems to specialize in medical topics. I don't see any mention of official credentials, but that's not the only way to learn things.

whyenot 13y ago

From her biography > She has won numerous journalism awards and held fellowships with the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at Columbia University, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the East West Center, the Knight-Wallace Fellows of the University of Michigan, Harvard Medical School and the University of Maryland. She isn't an MD or PhD, but when it comes to medical journalism, that's a pretty impressive list.