THE media are forever being accused of scaremongering. And, yes, sometimes that even goes for science magazines. We’re all interested in the next big thing to worry about. But too many scare stories can be exhausting. You end up tired of the message and the messenger.
Since 11 September the scaremongering industry has gone into overdrive. If it isn’t terrorists trying to crash the plane we’re on or under, it’s biocrazies armed with anthrax or even smallpox. Then there’s the “dirty bomb”, an explosive device surrounded by radioactive material designed to spread fear and panic through city centres by coating…
