When 22 minutes is reduced to mere seconds

I was interviewed earlier this week for a segment on Uptown Radio, a news show produced by students at the Columbia Journalism School. The piece is called Science Teachers Navigate the Changing Political Climate.

I talked with the reporter for 22 minutes and I said all sorts of interesting and factual things. The few seconds that made it to the show were OK but not the best, especially compared to what the other folks in the story had to say. And the reporter only used half of my bear analogy. I went on to describe how the anti-science folks were like the bears but I guess the reporter thought that would have detracted from the more dramatic bears knocking over trash cans and sometimes hurting people picture. Nonetheless, I’m glad I was contacted and that my voice was part of the show. It’s an important story that I hope other news outlets pick up on.

A transcript of my brief appearance:

HAUGHT: We also need to teach them how to find what is real and what is fake and then be able to defend their arguments with good, factual information.

Pathak:
That’s Brandon Haught. He teaches high school environmental science in central Florida – and he wrote a book on Florida’s battles about teaching evolution. He’s been observing the clash of politics and science for decades. But now, he says, the anti-science folks are becoming louder and bolder. Kind of like wild bears in a forest.

HAUGHT: But then something gets them out of the forest. All of a sudden they’re in our neighborhoods, knocking over trash cans and even confronting people and injuring them.