Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s a bit different from our usual discussions. Recently, Greg came across something interesting that we felt was important to share.
Greg looked up the top 25 science YouTubers based on their subscriber counts. The list includes popular names like Vsauce, The Slow Mo Guys, Mark Rober, In a Nutshell, The King of Random, Crazy Russian Hacker, Crash Course, AsapScience, and us, Mitch and Greg. Other notable channels are Smarter Every Day, Veritasium, SciShow, Doctor Mike, Minute Physics, CGP Grey, Vsauce2, Backyard Scientist, Vsauce3, Numberphile, It’s Okay to be Smart, 3Blue1Brown, Tom Scott, Real Engineering, Minute Earth, Simone Giertz, and PBS Space Time.
However, when we looked closer, we noticed a lack of diversity. The first woman appears at number 24, and there are no Black, Indigenous, or disabled individuals on the list. This lack of representation is both surprising and unsurprising, highlighting an issue in science communication on platforms like YouTube.
Let’s talk about race and the growing ability of many, especially white individuals, to discuss institutional racism. We want to set tangible goals for change within the science community.
Think about the science education you’ve received. Whose contributions were emphasized? Were women, people of color, or queer individuals included in this narrative? Historically, science has often been viewed through a Eurocentric lens.
Figures like Carl Linnaeus once categorized humans into subspecies based on race, leading to harmful stereotypes. This flawed thinking was widespread, and even in 1921, eugenics was promoted, perpetuating racist ideologies.
The idea that science is completely unbiased is a misconception. Human perspectives inevitably introduce bias. When research is conducted by a homogenous group, it limits the understanding of diverse experiences.
A good scientist adapts their worldview based on new information. The science community can combat institutionalized racism because we are generally open to change based on facts.
Research shows that white doctors are less likely to prescribe appropriate treatments to Black patients due to ingrained biases. Historical examples, like the Tuskegee Experiment, show how Black individuals were exploited for research without consent.
Recent studies highlight that genomic research often lacks representation from Black and South Asian populations, which is a significant oversight in understanding human health.
Minorities face barriers in academia, such as lower publication rates and fewer promotions compared to their white counterparts. The Diversity Paradox indicates that while minorities contribute innovative ideas, they are often overlooked for academic positions.
To address these issues, we need to actively promote anti-racism in our professional spaces. It’s crucial for those in predominantly white environments to engage in these conversations. As creators, we can amplify diverse voices and perspectives in our content.
We can learn from individuals like Dr. Esther, who shares stories of marginalized figures in STEM, and others who provide unique insights into science and technology.
Additionally, we must hold institutions accountable for their diversity practices. For example, examining the demographics of hiring at major tech companies reveals a lack of representation, particularly in leadership roles.
Diverse voices lead to richer perspectives in scientific research. Studies show that articles with diverse authorship are more likely to be cited, indicating that varied viewpoints enhance the quality of scientific discourse.
Representation matters. Seeing individuals from diverse backgrounds in science can inspire the next generation. Sharing personal stories can also help illuminate systemic issues and foster understanding.
If this discussion resonates with you, please share your thoughts. We want to continue this conversation and explore topics like affirmative action or other related issues. The work to challenge institutional racism is ongoing, and we are committed to moving forward together.
Choose a scientist from a diverse background who has made significant contributions to their field. Research their life, work, and impact on science. Prepare a presentation to share with the class, highlighting how their background influenced their work and the challenges they faced.
Participate in a class debate on the topic “Diversity in Science: A Necessity or an Option?” Prepare arguments for both sides, considering the benefits of diverse perspectives in scientific research and the challenges of achieving diversity in STEM fields.
Work in groups to create a short video on a scientific topic of your choice, ensuring to include diverse perspectives and voices. Focus on making the content accessible and engaging for a wide audience. Share your video with the class and discuss the importance of representation in science communication.
Examine a historical or contemporary scientific study for potential biases. Identify how the study’s design, sample selection, or interpretation of results might reflect biases. Discuss how these biases could be addressed and the importance of diverse research teams in minimizing bias.
Collaborate with classmates to plan an event that promotes diversity in STEM. This could include inviting guest speakers from diverse backgrounds, organizing workshops, or creating informational displays. The goal is to raise awareness and inspire more inclusive practices in science education and careers.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Today’s video is going to be a little different because it’s rare for us to sit down and talk candidly. Greg was looking up something recently that we wanted to share.
– I looked up the top 25 science YouTubers based on subscribers, and putting the list together was striking. You have Vsauce, The Slow Mo Guys, Mark Rober, In a Nutshell, The King of Random, Crazy Russian Hacker, Crash Course, AsapScience, and us, Mitch and Greg.
– Other notable names include Smarter Every Day, Veritasium, SciShow, Doctor Mike, Minute Physics, CGP Grey, Vsauce2, Backyard Scientist, Vsauce3, Numberphile, It’s Okay to be Smart, 3Blue1Brown, Tom Scott, Real Engineering, Minute Earth, Simone Giertz, and PBS Space Time.
There’s a lot to discuss regarding representation in the STEM community. The first woman on the list is number 24, and there are no Black individuals, Indigenous individuals, or people with disabilities represented. This lack of diversity is surprising, yet not surprising, and it highlights an issue we want to address today in science communication on YouTube.
We want to discuss race and the significant shift in the ability of many, especially white individuals, to talk about institutional racism. We aim to provide tangible goals for change within the institution of science.
When reflecting on science education, consider the history you learned. Whose contributions were highlighted? Who was allowed to participate? Did women, people of color, or queer individuals have a place in this narrative? The foundation of science has often been rooted in Eurocentric views.
Historically, figures like Carl Linnaeus incorrectly categorized humans into distinct subspecies based on race, which led to harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. This flawed taxonomy was adopted widely, and even as late as 1921, eugenics was promoted in scientific circles, perpetuating racist ideologies.
The belief that science is unbiased is a misconception. The introduction of human perspectives inevitably brings bias into scientific inquiry. If research is conducted by a homogenous group, it limits the understanding of diverse experiences.
A good scientist adapts their worldview based on new information. The science community has the potential to combat institutionalized racism because we are generally open to change based on facts.
Research shows that white doctors are less likely to prescribe appropriate treatments to Black patients due to ingrained biases. There are also historical examples, like the Tuskegee Experiment, where Black individuals were exploited for research without consent.
Recent studies highlight that genomic research often lacks representation from Black and South Asian populations, which is a significant oversight in understanding human health.
Moreover, minorities face barriers in academia, such as lower publication rates and fewer promotions compared to their white counterparts. The Diversity Paradox indicates that while minorities contribute innovative ideas, they are often overlooked for academic positions.
To address these issues, we need to actively promote anti-racism in our professional spaces. It’s crucial for those in predominantly white environments to engage in these conversations. As creators, we can amplify diverse voices and perspectives in our content.
We can learn from individuals like Dr. Esther, who shares stories of marginalized figures in STEM, and others who provide unique insights into science and technology.
Additionally, we must hold institutions accountable for their diversity practices. For example, examining the demographics of hiring at major tech companies reveals a lack of representation, particularly in leadership roles.
Diverse voices lead to richer perspectives in scientific research. Studies show that articles with diverse authorship are more likely to be cited, indicating that varied viewpoints enhance the quality of scientific discourse.
Representation matters. Seeing individuals from diverse backgrounds in science can inspire the next generation. Sharing personal stories can also help illuminate systemic issues and foster understanding.
If this discussion resonates with you, please share your thoughts in the comments. We want to continue this conversation and explore topics like affirmative action or other related issues. The work to challenge institutional racism is ongoing, and we are committed to moving forward together.
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This version maintains the core messages while removing any potentially sensitive or inappropriate language.
Diversity – The inclusion of different types of people, ideas, or elements in a group or environment, often leading to a richer and more comprehensive understanding of a subject. – In scientific research, diversity in the research team can lead to more innovative solutions and a broader range of perspectives.
Science – A systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. – The scientific method is a critical tool for developing new technologies and understanding natural phenomena.
Representation – The depiction or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way, often influencing perception and understanding. – Accurate representation of data is crucial in scientific studies to ensure valid conclusions are drawn.
Bias – A tendency to favor or lean towards a particular perspective or outcome, often leading to a distortion of data or results. – Researchers must be aware of their own biases to maintain objectivity in their experiments and analyses.
Racism – A belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, often involving the idea that one’s own race is superior. – Addressing racism in scientific communities is essential to ensure equitable opportunities and diverse contributions to the field.
Education – The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university, which is fundamental for the advancement of knowledge and critical thinking. – Education in the sciences encourages students to question, explore, and understand the world around them.
Perspectives – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view that can influence understanding and interpretation. – Considering multiple perspectives in scientific debates can lead to more comprehensive and balanced conclusions.
Minorities – Groups in society who do not form the majority of the population, often underrepresented in various fields including science and technology. – Increasing the participation of minorities in STEM fields is crucial for fostering innovation and inclusivity.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Conducting thorough research is essential for advancing scientific knowledge and solving complex problems.
Communication – The process of sharing information, ideas, or feelings, which is vital for collaboration and dissemination of scientific findings. – Effective communication of scientific results is necessary to inform public policy and educate the community.
