This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession

Most scientific publications target highly skilled and specialized readers working in academia or as professional scientists. Such publications typically presuppose substantial knowledge and competence, use highly technical terms and techniques, and are not widely publicized outside niche academic circles. Consequently, they are not easily accessible to the general public. In contrast, popular science (or “pop-sci”) is a nonfiction genre that reinterprets and presents scientific information for a nonexpert audience. Popular science literature caters to a wide and varied audience, bridging the gap between academic discourse and layperson interest by presenting complex scientific information in an engaging and entertaining manner that does not require preexisting expertise.

Popular science media consists of books and articles as well as online and television media. Its purpose is generally to inform and entertain, and it is characterized by informal language, humor, and relatable contextualization of factual information. It contributes significantly to public interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. This genre has been popular since the 18th century, when rapid scientific advancements and increased levels of higher education created a growing knowledge disparity between scientists and laypeople and a consequent demand for differentiation of publications for each group.