In journalism, there’s what you call your dog-bites-man situation. Which is anything too common and expected to be a good story (unless the dog is one of those Resident Evil hellhounds, or the man is Cesar Millan). An example of a dog-bites-man science story is yet another confirmation of Einstein and relativity.

Then there’s your more compelling man-bites-dog scenario. Which is something out of the ordinary (unless the man is competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi, and the dog is a Nathan’s Famous with mustard and sauerkraut). An example of a man-bites-dog science story is the recent claim of neutrinos that move faster than light. Although this particular case might be more accurately called a man-claims-to-bite-dog-but-physicists-really-wanna-get-a-close-look-at-this-dog story.

1 Comments

1. 1. alancleugh 12:37 PM 2/15/12

   Charging an animal with crime occurred in England during Napoleonic wars. A french ship sank off Hatlepool in NE England drowning the crew. The only survivor was the ships monkey who was hung by the townsfolk. Certainly until 1960s inhabitants of Hartlepool were greeted with "who hung the monkey"

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