Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: Samuel Brown on 26/09/2011 09:30:02

Title: So why do scientists tend to start answers with "So..."?
Post by: Samuel Brown on 26/09/2011 09:30:02

Samuel Brown  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Dear Chris & Co

Hello there. Greetings from sunny (and hot!) Finland.

I haven't tuned into TNS for at least a couple of years, so please accept my apologies for that.

I've just taken a look at the website and it seems there have been a few changes - new people arriving, old people leaving, are you still on three counties radio et al?

As a bit of catch up I am downloading the latest podcast to which I will give my full undivided attention.

I do actually have a question - I hope you won't laugh at it too much because it seems silly on the surface, but here goes -

Why do all science types (doctors, engineers, researchers etc) always seem to begin an answer to every question in radio interviews with the word "So" ?

I have noticed this over the last couple of years, it seems to be a very common thing. Speaking as a non-scientific type, it seems almost rude, as if to disregard the person asking the question and to turn the answer into a stand alone statement.

Just curious - seems to be an epidemic in the scientific community. Anyone else noticed this? Slightly irritating if you listen to a lot of podcasts, but please feel free to begin your reply with "So the reason this happens is because..." if you feel like it:)

All the best, hope to catch up with what you are all doing over the next few podcasts (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/)

take care from Finland,

Sam

Samuel Brown

What do you think?

Title: So why do scientists tend to start answers with \
Post by: Geezer on 26/09/2011 09:38:27

So, what's your point?