Scientific Discourse Constructs Identity

for all responses, there should be 4 separate total.
read question, then response and then you write your response to the classmates answer to topic by extending what they wrote. There are 2 different topics and 2 responses per question.
question 1: Zerbe writes, "scientific discourse will not just construct identity, it will define or even create it [author's italics]" (4). What are some ways in which this statement is true? What are the implications?
Response 1:
Zerbe believed that the languages used to communicate scientifically must not only be consistent, but also watched and checked to ensure it was not being abused. Effective use of scientific discourse, the consistent and global language used in all sciences, is critical to ensure peer studies are conducted uniformly and that results can be trusted. In this manner, scientific discourse can culturally define the identity of the scientific realm.
Zerbe also was an advocate of teaching the rhetoric of science in the classroom. In this manner, it was his belief that the use of scientifically rhetorical methods and peer reviewed literature as the basis for scientific discourse would take its place as the "dominant discourse" of the 21st century.
Implications of creating a very specific discourse could be segregating the scientific community and separating others from the information. The methods that are established to conduct research must be closely adhered to so as to avoid fallout from peers and stake-holders. Anyone who strays from established methods could potentially skew the trends and results used to validate the methods to date.
https://muse(dot)jhu(dot)edu/article/409332/pdf
Response 2:
Zerbe explains that scientific discourse can shape the general public's perception of reality, because “science… is generally is perceived publicly as a positive and trustworthy institution, its conclusions are viewed as Truth and Progress by a significant portion of the population” (4). As was the situation with the publication of The Bell Curve, the breadth of the work and complexity of the language in which it was written lent itself to receiving reviews by critics that were shaky at best, settling for non-judgmental appraisals despite suspected fallacies in the findings.
Zerbe goes on to explain that the lack of ability or willingness of reviewers to properly critique scientific discourse impedes on the ability of the majority of the population to actively participate in our science-based world. He states that scientific rhetoric “is the way the world is represented” (4) and that it must be watched and checked to make sure it is not abused.
I think the implications of scientific discourse as a means of defining and creating identity are pretty obvious: Peer review is a necessity, if not a duty, of scientific rhetoricians to ensure that the public receives the most accurate and true information possible. The language used in scientific discourse must also be written in a clear voice so that critics of rhetoric can properly evaluate the findings and present those evaluations in a manner that can be understood by the public.
topic 2: At this point, what do you think it means to be scientifically literate? How would you rate your own scientific literacy? What do you think you could do to improve it?
response 1: Scientific literacy, in my opinion, is one's ability to understand, communicate, and demonstrate fundamental scientific concepts, methods, and processes. Most notably, this ability should be demonstrable to likeminded persons within the accepted industry and based on specific scholarly training that you have been exposed to. I find it most interesting that persons consider themselves literate in certain fields simply because of exposure due to aspects such as reporting, supporting, or other association within the said industry.
From a personal assessment, I believe that I possess a very limited literacy in science. Having been personally exposed to a number of professional environments I believe has given me the ability to communicate at a basic level regarding concepts and decisions. I do not however consider myself to be literate in the fields enough to form rebuttal or arguments against theory.
Having that understanding, I do believe there is room and opportunity to grow. The fundamental knowledge from this class is already establishing a model of which to build. I think that mentoring within the industry and formal classroom could provide a solid ground from which to develop. I also am a firm believer in self teaching and reflection.
Response 2:
At this point in my education, I would say that being scientifically literate is the ability to think creatively in a scientific manner, through theories, research, looking to the ultimate goal of finding the truth. As a senior this year, I look back on my education, and the exposure I have had to science, and it has not been as involved as I would like it to have been. This is the first course that I have ever been able to link my work as a writer to what I have learned through years of science class to create something very powerful. I hope through that I can use what I have learned thus far in both aspects, to gain further knowledge in the powerful world of science and literature.
Scientific literacy is truly defined as, "the knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts and processes required for personal decision making, participation in civic and cultural affairs, and economic productivity." I would have to say that on a scale of 1-10, my scientific literacy would be about a six. I have not had exposure to the subject in quite sometime, but look to improve. Being able to think on a critical level is one aspect that I think I will thrive in. It is important in this type of course that one has the ability to think "outside of the box" in terms of what we allow ourselves to believe, and the knowledge we allow our brains to absorb. I for one have had to rid myself of my stubborn mentality over the years, and open myself up to thought of different theories and ideas in regards to the world in which we live. My education has thought me to forge my own path based on what I feel and see to be true.