To be literate is to use words to communicate and assess ideas. To be scientifically literate? The same, only about ideas in science and technology. Why does it matter? Think what you’ve read or heard lately on what to eat, how to care for yourself or your children, what you should do to save the planet. How can you sort it out? How do you decide? Being a scientist isn't the answer. No one can be expert in everything.
What you need is science fiction.
Science fiction readers read critically, speculate with reason, and imagine consequence. They take nothing for granted, and research what they don’t know or need to understand before being convinced. These are the fundamental skills of scientific literacy, to be developed by anyone and needed by all.
Which is why I wrote No Limits.
- Julie
