A picture of me leading a workshop for SciLine at AAAS in DC on Oct. 1, 2026. Unrelated to this story, but I look really good in this photo!! (Photo by Christian Monterrosa)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Who do you think of when you hear the word “knowledge creator”?
A fashion influencer talking about the best makeup? A local things-to-do creator? An activist protesting on the streets? A journalist?
I think of Bill Nye. Yes, the science guy.
Photo by The Late Show with John Oliver/YouTube
The OG creator was Bill Nye. I remember watching him in class as a kid, usually on the days my teacher gave up on explaining photosynthesis to us middle schoolers. He was so relatable and so digestible when he explained issues. And, more importantly, so human. I know he was just the science guy and not a scientist, but isn't every scientist just a human being? Doesn't every researcher have a reason why they got into their field? Aren’t they just everyday people?
Over the last few months, I've spoken to scientists, experts, and journalists about their struggles creating content, and found that to be true. When the camera isn't on, they're normal people who can communicate their story effectively. I also know this because one of my first journalistic projects was The Expert Opinions Podcast, which ran for two seasons at Boston College. I interviewed professors about how their subject matter related to the issues of our time, including American historian Heather Cox Richardson, who writes the number one Substack right now. (A subtle flex, I know.)