Science that evolves every day.
In order to get that information correctly and make it your own, it will be important to read the science news correctly.
This time, Euglena Co., Ltd. Executive Officer / President of GeneQuest Co., Ltd. and life scientist Shoko Takahashi will explain the points based on the theme of "How to read science news that is not misunderstood even in the humanities".
(Click here last time)
What are the important "sources" of reading news?
-In the first part, you explained the points "1. Causal relationship" and "2. Part and whole" of how to read science news.
Finally, what does the third "source" mean?
Takahashi: Regarding "sources of information," it is a matter of course, but in short, it is necessary to understand where the source of information is and what source of information is being received. Where does the information you hear come from, and how many people have passed through to hear it?
As an example, there is a story about the graduation ceremony of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, University of Tokyo.
This is a story that economist Kazuo Okouchi, who was the president of the University of Tokyo, said at the graduation ceremony of the University of Tokyo, "I said,'Become a leaner Socrates than a fat pig.'" , It is said that there are some mistakes and misunderstandings about this narrative.
The biggest mistake is that at the actual graduation ceremony, Professor Okouchi skipped this "more than a fat pig" part. That is, he did not actually speak. Then, the reason why the fact that it was not said is conveyed as if it was said is that it was written in the draft of the ceremony manuscript, and the draft of the manuscript went out and was reported as it was. Therefore, what has not actually happened has been handed down as a "fact."
I think this is a rare example, but the facts can change a lot through several sources. We need to be aware of the source of the information resource.
-It seems that it is rare that there was something that wasn't there, but it seems likely. .. Recently, the spread of information on the WEB and SNS is fast, so I feel that it is difficult to see what is the source and what the source is.
Takahashi: That's right. With the spread of the Internet, I think that the number of unconscious copies and retweets is increasing. As a result, the resources of information have become unclear.
And the rapidly developing Internet has made it possible for anyone to become an information source. In this WEB era, it is necessary to firmly confirm what the primary source of information is and understand the information based on it.
Especially for science news, grasping the original research content and the content of the treatise itself is the closest to understanding it correctly, but it is difficult for everyone to make such time in a busy life. I think.
So it's important to read the news actively and think for yourself, and know the source so that you can access the primary source when you think something is wrong.
As I said briefly, "actively reading" the news is very important.
A biological reaction is one that reacts with a stimulus and a receptor. If the stimulus is information, the reaction that occurs depends on whether or not the human receptor is activated. If you think hard and read the information, what you get will change. People tend to avoid thinking because thinking itself is so energy intensive. However, if you think hard, you can think about other stimuli and expand your world.
If the way we read news changes, society will change
-Actively read the news! Certainly, if I can do that, I feel that I will deepen my understanding of the content of the news and become more aware of it.
So far, you have explained the three points of "causal relationship," "part and whole," and "source of information." By paying attention to this point, you will be able to understand the news properly and it will lead to personal growth.
Wouldn't it have a positive impact on society if more people could read the news properly? I want to clarify the sense of value because it's a big deal ...
Takahashi: By holding down these three points and reading science news, it goes without saying that readers will be able to obtain good information, but as a result, I think that technology will become easier to adapt to society.
As with the genetic analysis I deal with, technology is meaningless just because it exists, and many of them only make sense when adapted to society. For example, if people see the negative news of genetic analysis and think that genetic analysis is dangerous, it hinders the progress and utilization of technology.
Under such circumstances, reducing the number of people who read the news correctly and misunderstand technology will definitely help adapt technology to society.
I hope that we will have a society in which good things are used appropriately.
-Technology is to improve society, isn't it? That's what I think.
Thank you very much!
Euglena Co., Ltd. Executive Officer in charge of bioinformatics business
/ Representative Director of GeneQuest Co., Ltd.
Shoko Takahashi
Graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University. In June 2013, he started GeneQuest Co., Ltd. while enrolled in the doctoral program at the Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Tokyo. Completed the doctoral course in March 2015 and obtained a doctorate. We provide a genome analysis service that conveys genetic information on disease risk and constitution to individuals. April 2018 Appointed Executive Officer in charge of Bioinformatics Business, Euglena Co., Ltd.
Received the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry "2nd Japan Venture Award" Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award (Female Entrepreneur Award), the 10th "Japan Bio-Venture Award" Japan Venture Society Award, World Economic Forum "Young Global Leaders" Selected for "2018".
In his book, "How does genome analysis change the world of" I "? -The future that can be created by life science technology- ".
Gene analysis platform "Euglena My Health"