Pay attention to how a mob reacts to a mistake. If someone corrects an error, it’s never good enough. Or, maybe, they disprove of the apology.

In either case, is there room for the person to correct the error & move on?

Nope.

Folks, I’m telling you - this mentality and behavior is how we lose people.

You cannot expect perfection or 100% agreement on all issues.

I’ve seen you make mistakes, too. And, people move on. No problem for some. A death sentence for others.

Not only do people become disenfranchised from the experience, the public sees you.

They don’t have your expertise, so all they see is an entire field attacking one person over a seemingly minor error.

It decreases trust.

Why should a non-expert now trust you?

The public doesn’t care about isolated incident of the incorrect use of jargon or a misinterpretation of one data set

Of course, errors need correction, but these mistakes don’t lead to the level of harm to the public you claim.

If the error was quickly deleted or corrected, you are the only one who has experienced perceived harm.

Show evidence that the public has been negatively impacted. The harm comes when you repeatedly share screenshots of the deleted posts.

A good intentioned science communicator is not the same as a misinformer nor should they be treated as such.

I saw a few folks accuse a scientist of spreading disinformation for using jargon incorrectly.

My friends, the irony is you’re incorrectly using the term disinformation.

Even though I’m not calling specific people out, the mob doesn’t like when I post observations or opinions that don’t align with theirs.

I expect folks to subtweet or discredit me.

Even in writing this tweet, some may accuse me of playing the victim. Well, I’m not a victim

You want to be a better science communicator?

Don’t dwell on mistakes. Correct an error and move on.

Focus on your message.

The public (aka your intended audience) is watching you.