ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that science is often presented to the public in narrative form, such as the ‘story’ of human evolution and the evolution of the universe. The section also looks at the way metaphors are used to communicate scientific ideas – the building blocks of life, genetic blueprints, hardwiring in the brain and many others. The idea that facts are not immutable is also touched upon; that what is taken to be true can change in light of further discoveries. The chapter also looks at stereotypes, both of science itself and the public perception of scientists. Further, that science is generally not a steady progression of discoveries but proceeds in fits and starts, and that breakthroughs might come in the form of sudden insights that break new ground.
