/
Article

Science on the air

JUL 01, 1948
If science wants a mass radio audience, it must compete for it using radio, not classroom, techniques.
John E. Pfeiffer

It is a bare fact, whether or not one finds it an unhappy state of affairs, that a soap opera or a quiz show regularly attracts millions more listeners than a broadcast on any field of science. Naturally those responsible for putting broadcasts on the air shy away from the very word science in their program planning. The blame, of course, lies with radio for not devoting more time and energy to popularization—and with the scientists themselves for thinking too much about what they want to say and not enough about the people who are supposed to listen to it. It should surprise no one that the joint efforts of radio and the scientists have been so widely unheard.

This article is only available in PDF format

More about the authors

John E. Pfeiffer, Columbia Broadcasting System.

Related content
/
Article
At the end of the turbulent 1960s, the postwar funding boom in US physics came to a crashing halt. The lessons learned then may be helpful to today’s physicists.
/
Article
Interviews with 22 successful early-career physical scientists and engineers reveal that networking has been one of the most critical ways to nurture their careers.
/
Article
Myriad solutions emerge in the stressful process of balancing professional ambition and personal happiness.
/
Article
An interview with a prominent member of the Marshallese diaspora delves into the ongoing impact of aboveground US nuclear weapons testing in the Pacific archipelago.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1948_07.jpeg

Volume 1, Number 3

Get PT newsletters in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.