When Science Speaks in Pictures: How Graphics and Animation Help Us Understand Technology
One evening during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were confused. Some believed the virus was real. Others said it was exaggerated. Social media was full of charts, screenshots, voice notes, and opinions. In the middle of all that noise, one question stood out: how do we make people truly understand science?
That is where graphics and animation come in.
Science is not always easy to explain. Words alone can struggle to describe how a virus spreads, how a vaccine works, or how artificial intelligence processes data. But once you see an animation of virus particles moving from one person to another, or a simple infographic showing infection rates rising and falling, everything becomes clearer.
In the YouTube video assigned to us (https://youtu.be/YnRy-cotiAY), the speaker discusses misinformation and mistrust in science communication. What makes the video effective is not just what is being said, but how it is shown. Visual aids guide the audience. Key phrases appear on the screen. Ideas are broken down step by step. The visuals make the message easier to follow, especially for people who may not enjoy reading long academic texts.
Now compare that with Dr. Suraj’s LinkedIn article titled “Flattening the Curve of Mis(dis)information and Mistrust” (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/flattening-curve-misdisinformation-misdistrust-through-suraj). His writing goes deeper into the issue. He explains how misinformation spreads and how mistrust weakens public response during crises like COVID-19. The article is thoughtful and analytical. It encourages media literacy and critical thinking.
But here is the difference.
Dr. Suraj’s article relies heavily on text. You must read carefully and reflect. It demands attention and patience. The YouTube video, on the other hand, uses a combination of voice, visuals, and sometimes animation to simplify the same conversation. Where the article explains, the video demonstrates. Where the article analyzes, the video illustrates.
Both approaches are important. The written article gives depth and academic grounding. The video expands reach and accessibility. Together, they show that modern science reporting cannot depend on words alone.
Graphics and animation play a powerful role in science and technology reporting today. A simple animated diagram can explain how climate change works more effectively than a page of statistics. An infographic can show trends in data within seconds. In Nigeria, where attention spans online are short and misinformation spreads quickly, visual communication is not just helpful. It is necessary.
Dr. Suraj’s work reminds us that science communication is not only about presenting facts. It is about building trust. And visuals help build that trust because they make complex ideas transparent and easier to grasp.
In the end, science does not just need to be accurate. It needs to be understood. And sometimes, the fastest way to understanding is not through more words, but through a moving image that shows the story clearly.