Richard Hammond makes a planet
Discussion
Don't bother. Once you have gasped at the CGI, which makes up 99% of the programme, the remaining 1% that is science isn't worth hanging on for.
Dust sticks together electrostatically, then gravity does the rest. There, 30 minutes compacted into one sentence - and 50 CGI boffs out of work thus saving the licence fee.
And what of the effect of hand grease on the gnome's weight?
Dust sticks together electrostatically, then gravity does the rest. There, 30 minutes compacted into one sentence - and 50 CGI boffs out of work thus saving the licence fee.
And what of the effect of hand grease on the gnome's weight?
I didn't watch it but these kinds of shows are meant for the masses. The assumption (which is correct) is that the majority of viewers will have practically NO knowledge of science. What little they did learn at school will have long been forgotten.
Isn't the wider aim to educate the general public? Watch The Sky at Night if you want more detail.
How many tens (or hundreds?) of thousands of viewers who knew NOTHING about planet formation now know at least a few basic facts? That kind of knowledge gain can only be done through prime time TV, not specialist shows on BBC2 at midnight.
I'd rather the budget was used on this kind of stuff rather than soaps or dancing contests.
Isn't the wider aim to educate the general public? Watch The Sky at Night if you want more detail.
How many tens (or hundreds?) of thousands of viewers who knew NOTHING about planet formation now know at least a few basic facts? That kind of knowledge gain can only be done through prime time TV, not specialist shows on BBC2 at midnight.
I'd rather the budget was used on this kind of stuff rather than soaps or dancing contests.
Eric Mc said:
No harm in having the odd dumbed down science programme every so often. If it pulls in more viewers, then it has achieved its aim.
If I feel it is too dumbed down - I'll turn it off or change channels.
This.If I feel it is too dumbed down - I'll turn it off or change channels.
Any programming that keeps people interested in Science, even at a basic level, can only be a good thing. When we teach this stuff we don't get a fancy BBC CGI budget so things like this help.
iphonedyou said:
The problem here, of course, is that unless you're just an all-round incredible specimen, there will be a topic of similar importance that you're equally or more ignorant about.
And that'll be a pity, won't it?
I seem to remember you from somewhere...And that'll be a pity, won't it?
There is plenty I don't know. But the concept of 'stuff condensing to form the solar system' is well within a school science lesson, and need not take an hour to get across.
But you all have a point. I'd far rather 10 year-olds were watching 'Richard Hammond Makes a Planet' and learning a little, than festering in front of X-Boxes, Facebook, Eastenders or Casualty, yes. My fault really for assuming the programme was for adults.
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