How come scientists can't relate to other people's personality?

Answer 1

Scientists come in all shapes and colors, just like other people. Spending a lot of time on your own in a lab, however, does not hone your social skills.

But one of the most important aspects of science is communication! The best scientists are either excellent communicators or need someone else to do their communication for them.

Scientists have to communicate their research results in many ways. It is usually even a requirement for getting funding. Scientists are constantly competing to get money so they can do their research, and communication is a big factor in that competition.

So they write for their colleagues and give talks for their colleagues, including research sponsors, but they also blog, show up on TV, and in pubs, and cafes, to talk about and show what they do.

Some write books - not just text books but also - and others create games or DVDs.

But when you meet a scientist and he or she talks with you, and you have no clue what the person is going on about... just say so! Interrupt, if you must, and tell the person when they didn't really listen to what you said. Communication is a two-way street.

Sure, there is a lot of jargon in science. But it is no different than calling a house a house and car a car because it is just too complicated to describe it every time. To scientists, the jargon is just as familiar as words like house and car.

Answer 2

It is not that scientists cannot relate to others' personalities; rather, their focused work may sometimes lead to a different perspective or communication style. Research demands precision and objectivity, which can sometimes create a barrier in relating to others on a more personal level. Some scientists might prioritize data and logic over emotional connections in their interactions.