The Death of the English Language: Science Talk

For some unknown reason, whilst deeply entrenched in a near-comatose state, I was scanning an article pertaining to science in one of our national papers. Seems the writer was uncertain about an issue, and like the editors over at Bill Simmons' incarnate Grantland.com, instead of opting for some fact-checking or the use of a copy editor, decided instead just to write something completely sophmoric.

Bacteria is the plural representation of the single organism bacterium. This addresses the first fault in the article. Secondly, Bacteria and viruses are two completely different entities.

Bacteria are fully living, single-celled organisms that have a varied trove of functions, most notably, the ability to independently reproduce. Inversely, viruses are not independent living organisms. They are much more minute than a bacterium and or not able to reproduce independently, rather with the assistance of the living cell they have invaded.

It should be expected that any writer entrusted with writing an article pertaining to science, even if they are simply a beat reporter or a 'current affairs' coffee-fetching device, should do a little fact-checking when putting together a piece.

Thanks for reading and my apologies for the lack of posts these last few months. I have something special planned for my readers the next little while, so check back in tomorrow if you will and follow the re-emergence of badnewsblog.