So here's a thought experiment. Part of the challenge of scientific literacy is finding the audience, or maybe better to say, to create the audience. In particular, the attracting the audience that doesn't normally read things like ScienceBlogs, or subscribes to the New Scientist, etc, etc. So, let me ask "if we could get anybody to intern for us at the World's Fair, and if we're trying to be strategic about it, who should we court?"
In any event, here's our first applicant (from our previous ad) and the apparent pros and cons of such a hire.
Applicant's Name: George Lucas
Birthdate: May 14, 1944
Social/Cultural Pervasiveness (as ranked by google): 2,380,000 hits for "George Lucas", 62,200,000 for "Star Wars."
Pro: The ability to engage and attract a huge legion of fans and individuals just interested generally.
Con: Sort of get the impression that a significant chunk of this audience is already scientifically engaged.
Pro: This is the creative force behind American Graffiti and, of course, the Star Wars universe.
Con: Also responsible for Jar Jar Binks.
Pro: Chance that Chewbacca might join us for drinks. That would be cool.
Con: Chewbacca has been known to "rip your arms out of their socket" if angered. Not so cool.
Pro: Instantly recognizable public figure. No brainer for generating interest in the media. Wouldn't hurt if the World's Fair was covered by Time, NYT, New Yorker, etc.
Con: I think Ben gets a little freaked out by men with beards (or maybe that's women with beards).
Pro: Endless supply of stormtroopers (to help with photocopying, getting coffee, etc).
Con: The blog might take on a spooky "Imperial" feel to it.
Pro: Major technology boost (think, the World's Fair in THX), and more special effects on our blog.
Con: See above comment on Jar Jar Binks.
Pro: The man already speaks our language. I mean for crying out loud, the Force, which seemed to be a religious type concept, is actually all about microbiology, m-i-c-r-o-b-i-o-l-o-g-y! (remember the stuff about midichlorian microbes?)
Con: What's up with the Jedi Mind Trick thing? Doesn't seem scientific at all. Sounds kinda like a scam to me...
(With apologies to Mr. Lucas)
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I think you'd get a lot of attention if someone like Brad Pitt or Jennifer Aniston applied. Can they write science? Would it matter? There's a debate in there somewhere.
"rip your arms off their sockets"
I'm not sure if it's been determined if Chewbacca is an obnoxious drunk or a mellow drunk. I suspect it would take quite a few to get him inebriated though.
Find someone who understands the mob and gives them what they want.62000,000 hits is a good start.