Developments in the scientific, political, technological and cultural landscape are creating a different
atmosphere for scientists in Dr. Joel Hoffman's generation. There is a much broader awareness of science
on a global scale, both in the sharing of information and in the awareness of interactions on the level of
large ecosystems. As a result many in his generation think in a more synthetic way, with a sense of greater
urgency in learning how to interact with the public and communicate their science articulately. As the public
increases their interest in understanding human impacts on a global scale and how science is connected,
scientists understand that talking about their research outside of the lab is occupying a larger piece of a
scientific career.
