I watched last night on the UK’s Channel 5 a Discovery Channel documentary on the opening of a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings.
It was interesting stuff, but what struck me particularly was the sheer fun and joy of the archeologist opening a jar that had been sealed for so many years. It was real and it was infectous.
Now, she had reason for this – it was the first tomb to be discovered in the Valley of the Kings since Tutankhamun’s. Yet what struck me is how different she was to the way scientists usually are on the TV.
Normally the media either gives us deadpan, emotionless scientists, or people with LOADS of enthusiasm that strays well into the artificial.
What was different here was that it was genuine emotion. She was chuckling and happy, throwing comments about with her fellow workers – of course there was enthusiasm, but it was much than the forced excitement of the typical science broadcaster.
I know it’s difficult when cameras come into the lab as we’ve seen elsewhere in Nature Network blogs (can someone provide me with a link, I’m feeling lazy) – but I do believe science needs much more of this in its public face. Real fun, and real disappointment. Human reactions. Maybe then we could break through the stereotypes.
Hear hear! Good on you, Brian.
Brian Cox (Manchester Uni Physicists)has appeared on a number of broadcasts and appears quite human and enthusiastic. Although sometimes he seems to verge on the “I can’t believe I am paid to drive around and talk about my research” mode of presentation. Anyway he does it better than I could.
Personally I find radio a good medium for presenting science ideas, it forces you to explain things rather than relying on visual cues. I think Quentin Cooper of the BBC does an excellent job in teasing out excitement from scientists on Radio 4.
Of course the archeologist knew (more or less) when something interesting would be happening.
If only the cameras were running in the lab when something really cool occurs. Perhaps we should all install Big Brother lenses and provide recorded “Eureka” moments to the press when they eventually show up (they will show up eventually, won’t they?).
Of course, once this is routine practice, erasing the tapes would become accepted as evidence of wrongdoing. Naturally, copies would be required by department chairs for P&T meetings.
Now there’s a thought – Big Brother: The Lab Edition. Ten scientists locked in a lab for 10 weeks, and the first one to make a major breakthrough (words specially chosen for Nature) wins a research grant. It’d be epic viewing.