We must stand behind our words for readers to trust us.

Over at Science Blogs, Steve asks:

Should I become anonymous? Is it going to affect my job search in a few more years?

That's a good question: how does academia perceive bloggers? Are we just a bunch lazy lab escapees who can type or are we a more serious bunch that are bringing a passionate new voice to complex technical issues? I believe we're in the latter group and here is why.

This very blog started because everyone was asking me questions when I started my PhD. Most of the questions I got were of two types:

• Someone watched something on TV or read in the newspaper and just didn't get why it's important.
• Someone developed their own theory to explain something in life... and wanted me to rubber stamp it.

Clearly, scientists in general are really bad at explaining to the layman what science is really about. Why are stem cells important? Just what on Earth is evolution? There is so much sensationalized misinformation out there, it's sickening! Science bloggers should be a voice that everyone can understand and trust.

So should I be anonymous? No way! Quacks hide behind a veil of anonymity. Standing behind what I say in public about important issues adds to my credibility (hopefully). I reference everything I write about, and answer every question. You can hold me accountable in the comments below every post or on your own blog.

The last point is what it's all about. Science bloggers are like teachers: I wouldn't trust an anonymous teacher I couldn't call out.

As for career prospects: sadly, academia hires based on educational pedigrees. Regardless if we blog or not, where we did our research and who we know count a lot more than our blogs.