Rediagnosing the Oceans: A Hollywood approach to science outreach

As one of the most prominent marine ecologists in the world, Jeremy Jackson of Scripps Institution of Oceanography had searched for an innovative way to interest the public in his scientific research. He had just led a groundbreaking new study about the importance of using historical perspectives to understand many problems facing today’s coastal ecosystems (see Science, July 27, 2001) and felt a broad audience would be interested in its ramifications. His new approach came in the form of a short film and in the person of Randy Olson, a Harvard-trained marine biologist who gave up tenure at the University of New Hampshire to pursue a filmmaking career. Their seven-minute film, "Rediagnosing the Oceans," moves away from typical nature documentary style and instead recruits fictional narrative elements. With the title and throughout the film, a medical theme is employed to reinforce the poor health of many coastal ecosystems and the steps necessary for their recovery.