I'd especially love to hear people in STEM's input on this.
Lately I've been hearing about how science popularizers are doing more harm than good especially with a lot of science programs and documentaries. When does pop science cross the line into pseudoscience territory? Which science popularizers do you respect (or don't)?
Assuming there are no factual mistakes or blatantly wrong assumptions (which would move it to pseudoscience instantly) then it's all about misinformation, wether or not it is harmful.
The 'pop science' stuff I like is where it's not so much about this is this and that is that. But more about the processes of thinking and experimentation that lead to the realization and understanding of this and that.
If the target audience is kids for example, why not go a bit overboard, it's all going to be about imagination and wonder, perhaps the core of the science is 'meh', but when it comes to pop science for kids, it's not about teaching people the laws of nature, but to engage their minds and try to make them think about it for themselves, right? I think pop science is great for stuff like that.
Where the danger lies however is when pop science is focusing on 'fringe' science, without accurately disclosing the fringeness of what it explains and causing misinformation. Pop science culture tends to spend most time in that space between science and fiction. Because it's interesting and sells well. If it lets the consumer know that it's less about the science and more about the philosophy behind it, meh fine. But often it doesn't, right? Often it's like "And in 20 years this will happen, and then that will occur and this is how doomed we are and that is what will become of the world". And it's main selling point is essentially shock and awe with no regard to legitimacy and without any form of disclaimer, then yeah, screw pop science.
Unfortunately though:
Bad pop science: "And in 20 years this will happen, and then that will occur and this is how doomed we are and that is what will become of the world"
Generic response: Oohh! *Listens attentively with jaw dropped* This is some high tech shit!
Better pop science: "And in 20 years this could happen, and then that might occur and this is how doomed we would be and that is what might become of the world"
Pft. Who cares about what might happen. *so bored* Give me something else to consume *switches channels*