Being from a non-scientific background, that is, none of my family studied science, and I myself have never done any scientific study, bar that of lower high school, the development of open science is something I am very grateful for as I have a keen interest in the science world. From an amateur perspective that is.
There are many beneficial branches of open science which would directly benefit the science world and its development, such as, academic journals, open research, open access and open notebook science (Wikipedia 2013). However, looking at this from my perspective, that being a novice point of view, how can open science benefit me? What good are academic journals and research notes full of scientific jargon I don't understand? Well, the truth is, there is no use. In that regard. Where I find the concept of open science beneficial is where it connects with another online, new media platform. Like, wait for it, Facebook!
Recently I stumbled upon a page a friend had 'liked' and since then I have thoroughly enjoyed every post and addition it has made to my Facebook Wall. The page is called, I Fucking Love Science. Despite the name, the page is actually extremely knowledgable, while still relating to the mind of a science novice like myself, and five million other people who now follow the page!
Started by Elise Andrew, a biology major who specialised in animal science and evolution, in 2012 (Wikipedia 2013), I Fucking Love Science has soared in popularity. What the page so brilliantly does is combine the popular meme culture which surges through contemporary society, relates those memes to science with knowledgable, current fact, all within the easy platform of Facebook. Its open science genius, working it from a completely new angle, one could even describe it as social science. I have learned far more from Andrew's short posts about 'whats happened this week' in the science world and just through her interesting, knowledgable and fun captioned pictures ranging from black holes and marine life to statistics and breakthroughs in the science world, then ever before.
I feel, from my own perspective, Andrew's Facebook page is a fantastic new form of open science, or, has developed it's own brach of the umbrella, social science. By making it as easy to learn and develop your understanding of science as it is to stay in touch with your friends or experience social networking, I Fucking Love Science is paving the way for contemporary forms of learning.
I Fucking Love Science can be found at the below link, I highly recommend you check it out!
Elise Andrew, wiki article, 16th May 2013, accessed 16th May 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elise_Andrew>
Open Science, wiki article, 20th April 2013, accessed 16th May 2013 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_science>
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