Mathematics and the Media

Summary

INTRODUCTION

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the amount of interest shown in scientific matters by the mass media, in particular by newspapers and television. The general public is showing considerable interest in scientific activities in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and medicine. One only has to think of a recent example like nuclear fusion, and the enormous amount of interest that this subject generated in newspapers and on television all over the world. To what extent the information was scientifically correct is, of course, another matter.

In the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, medicine and natural sciences, we can say that there is constant coverage by the media of all the latest developments and the most recent researches. There is no doubt that one of the main reasons is that some of the results of scientific activity in these areas have immediate effects on the world community.

Another important factor to be taken into consideration is that these fields of scientific research require massive financial investment; so it is to be expected that the scientists themselves also wish to point out the necessity of developing one field rather than another.