2008 Woodie Awards
Robbins Gives Speech on Future of Science Journalism
OC Register editor discusses the transition from print to electronic communications in reporting science news.
Rachel Nishimura
Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: News
On October 18, Gary Robbins gave a presentation titled "From iPods to I-Robot: The Future of Science Journalism." Robbins is a science editor for The Orange County Register and author of the blog "Science Dude."
He was the second speaker featured in the fall seminar series "communicating in science" hosted by the Natural Sciences Division. Robbins' 45-minute lecture engaged the audience. He often polled his listeners and allowed audience members to lead him into varioius tangents. The discussion between Robbins and the audience was passionate and ended quickly.
His speech focused on how the Internet has revolutionized the way people receive news.
"This is an exciting time for all media," Robbins said. "There has never been so much change in media, especially in newspapers." According to Robbins, The Orange County Register will undergo the biggest change it has experienced in its 200 years of existence.
Starting November 5, 200 Register employees will be working exclusively on their Web sites and 100 employees will repurpose their content into the newspaper.
Robbins also shared his experience as the blogger of "Science Dude." Having a blog gave him the flexibility to make posts right away.
With the help of the net, he's made a post in the short space of 10 minutes of being informed of a news story.
"The blog is interactive and allows people to post comments," said Robbins. "I'm getting evaluated by the public all the time. I find out what people are interested in. The interaction helps close the gap between the media and the public."
The blog has a different tone than the newspaper.
"It's speaking to you not speaking at you," explains Robbins.
Maintaining an up to date blog is an exhausting job and requires a lot of artillery according to Robbins.
"I always carry a digital camera, an iPod, a digital voice recorder and my iPhone," shared Robbins.
As a news reporter, Robbins explained that he felt pressured to compete with sensationalized celebrity gossip.
"There is a subtle pressure to make news sexier and jazzier even when there's nothing going on," explained Robbins. "News sites like TMZ.com have changed people's expectations for news."
Robbins also discussed new platforms for news feeds. Video games have recently become a new target. Developers are also working on streaming news feeds in hearing aids as well as glasses.
He also offered encouraging advice for students who wished to pursue journalism. "There are still jobs available for prospective journalists," said Robbins. "It is not a dying industry. In order to be employable, be adaptable. The most important quality for a journalist to have is curiosity. Curiosity will take you everywhere and everywhere is where you want to go."
He was the second speaker featured in the fall seminar series "communicating in science" hosted by the Natural Sciences Division. Robbins' 45-minute lecture engaged the audience. He often polled his listeners and allowed audience members to lead him into varioius tangents. The discussion between Robbins and the audience was passionate and ended quickly.
His speech focused on how the Internet has revolutionized the way people receive news.
"This is an exciting time for all media," Robbins said. "There has never been so much change in media, especially in newspapers." According to Robbins, The Orange County Register will undergo the biggest change it has experienced in its 200 years of existence.
Starting November 5, 200 Register employees will be working exclusively on their Web sites and 100 employees will repurpose their content into the newspaper.
Robbins also shared his experience as the blogger of "Science Dude." Having a blog gave him the flexibility to make posts right away.
With the help of the net, he's made a post in the short space of 10 minutes of being informed of a news story.
"The blog is interactive and allows people to post comments," said Robbins. "I'm getting evaluated by the public all the time. I find out what people are interested in. The interaction helps close the gap between the media and the public."
The blog has a different tone than the newspaper.
"It's speaking to you not speaking at you," explains Robbins.
Maintaining an up to date blog is an exhausting job and requires a lot of artillery according to Robbins.
"I always carry a digital camera, an iPod, a digital voice recorder and my iPhone," shared Robbins.
As a news reporter, Robbins explained that he felt pressured to compete with sensationalized celebrity gossip.
"There is a subtle pressure to make news sexier and jazzier even when there's nothing going on," explained Robbins. "News sites like TMZ.com have changed people's expectations for news."
Robbins also discussed new platforms for news feeds. Video games have recently become a new target. Developers are also working on streaming news feeds in hearing aids as well as glasses.
He also offered encouraging advice for students who wished to pursue journalism. "There are still jobs available for prospective journalists," said Robbins. "It is not a dying industry. In order to be employable, be adaptable. The most important quality for a journalist to have is curiosity. Curiosity will take you everywhere and everywhere is where you want to go."
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