Scientists are not comedians, but it turns out that a joke or two can be very useful.
That is according to a new study by the University of Georgia that he found when researchers use humor in their communication, particularly online, the public is more likely to find them reliable and credible.
“I think this should make scientists feel more comfortable using humor in their daily communication, especially online communication,” said Alexandra Frank, the main author of the study and doctorate candidate at the Faculty of Journalism and Communication of Mass Grams of Uga. “You can still communicate using humor and be seen as a source of legitimate and appropriate information.”
Science can bring smiles
As scientists investigate already complicated difficult issues, it is important to maintain the key ideas of simple research for a general audience. One of the best ways to do so is through a little joy, Frank said.
Frank proved how to insert humor into science -related publications could affect the sympathy and reliability of scientists and their work.
The research team created four publications with different images in X, previously known as Twitter.
The content focused on two self -employed cars, as well as science and politics behind artificial intelligence technology.
An image contained a drawing with two cars and made about unbritomized autonomous technology included. Another contained the two cars and satire on this technology, reading: “A car is approaching the right and begins to make caution settings. The other car recognizes it. It is not a problem unless the meat slab inside interferes with its AI mode.”
The third caused the two cars to share the facts themselves, as if they were sensitive, and the fourth image caused the cars to tell them the jokes.
BENEFITS IN Smart Communications
So which one did you receive more laughs?
The publication that used satire and gave cars the most similar to humans was qualified as the funniest. The respondents also were more likely to believe the scientist when they found the content published as fun.
Because the scientist’s publication was considered more credible for humor, people also considered what the scientist published as a fact.
“It is a double -edged sword. When people find something funny, they find the most legitimate things. However, that humor could also replace the fact when something is false,” Frank said.
In this scenario, those who laugh at the use of AI in autonomous cars may have generated their own opinions about how that technology based only on that publication is.
“I want you not to be afraid of humor, but use it very consciously … the last thing we want is to make scientists less pleasant.” – Alexandra Frank, Gray College
However, there is a limit for the type of comedy. Scientific communication cannot contain too much sarcativity or negativity, or loses credibility, the researchers found.
Frank’s advice for scientific communicators seeking to build their audience is to keep short, intelligent publications and try not to hit.
“I want you not to be afraid of humor, but they use it very consciously because it can come with inconveniences,” Frank said. “Know that it can significantly increase commitment to the public, but scientists should use it cautiously. The last thing we want is to make scientists less pleasant.”
This study was funded by the National Science Foundation. The co-authors include Michael A. Cacciatore, a professor associated at the University of Uga, Sara K. Yeo and Leona Yi-Fan their.