The Abominable Little Ghouls of Australia's National Science Week
I've spent the last few weeks thinking about science journalism and science reporting, particularly in Australia. Much of my consternation sprouts from the ever-resilient seed that is planted just below my oesophagus known as fear.
I believe science journalism is crucial for democracy, informing and educating the public on how we gather and use knowledge. A public that understands the process, culture and business of science, and one that connects with our STEM sector, has great power. It is an informed public that will make decisions based on evidence, and one that can influence policy in the same way. [See, in reverse, the social media ban Australia brought in...]
With generative AI and LLM systems everywhere, I worry—and sometimes see—that we're drifting further away from supporting science journalism to carry out these functions and, in effect, pushing people toward a bunch of junk food, quick hit, single story science pieces that provide little more than a sugar high and eventual sugar hangover that is only prevented by incessantly scrolling to the next sugary high video or piece in your social media feed. Sugary highs seem to be the thing that publishing executives love to chase, too. Cheaper, easier content. Less human beings to get in the way.
This is bad for informing; bad for educating.
Inspiring Australia, part of the Australian Government's Science Engagement strategy, is the last place I'd want to believe we're taking shortcuts.
Inspiring Aus is, essentially, a science communication platform. It runs the Prime Minister's Prizes for Science [which should absolutely have recognition for science journalism in some capacity!] and National Science Week every August, coordinating a host of activities across the country, state by state. This is THE week for science engagement and it's a hugely important one, rightly lauded because it generates a lot of attention on STEM.
But... then there's this.
Inspiring NSW, dropped a blog post on July 23 headlined "Top Online Events for National Science Week 2026". That was the lead image.
If it's not immediately clear, none of these children exist. And that's a problem.