Is Science Serious Bizness? Is Beauty Truth?

Does public outreach by scientists have to dumb things down? In the case of cable television stations, it certainly seems to. And humor aimed at a science audience can leave the general public confused — or worse, feeling snubbed. But maybe art and comedy are different ways to inspire, if not teach: The American Society of Cell Biology sponsors the incredibly inventive Cell Dance competition, in which the point was for participants to demonstrate something to do with cell biology via interpretive dance, literally! Similarly, they host a similarly topical stand-up comedy routine competition with cash prizes: CellSlam.

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