How the media shaped our you scientists

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The discussion emphasizes the impact of North American culture on the development of physics students and scientists, highlighting themes such as gender equality and the influence of popular media like "The Big Bang Theory." The conversation reflects on the historical significance of the space program, particularly the fear sparked by Sputnik, which led to increased emphasis on science and math education in schools. Personal anecdotes illustrate how parental encouragement and access to scientific tools fostered curiosity in children, despite financial challenges. The speaker expresses a desire for more stories and insights on this topic, acknowledging the potential of new media to share these narratives.
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I do not know what or where to put this...

Someone should work on a paper about how our North American (only one I kind of know) is or has shaped our new group of Physics students and scientists... from equalizing gender to the Fantastic 4 to the Big Bang Theory and beyond... not something I am willing to spend time on. Just a thought.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
And of Course the space program on media. We can not forget that "One small step for man," even if it was before our time.

Thank you NASA for being.
 
When I was a kid, Sputnik scared the crap out of the military and the politicians. More emphasis was placed on science and math (even in elementary school), and there was extra aptitude testing, I believe. I know that my parents were urged to encourage my curiosity and direct it at sciences. As a result, I got a science-related Christmas gift every year, though my parents could barely afford it. A Sears Newtonian reflector, a cheap Edmund's microscope, a chemistry set... There were six of us living in a 5-room dump of a rental house, and still they managed to pull it together. There weren't many TVs in our town then, but the school had one, and we had a general assembly to watch every televised launch - and not just the manned shots.
 
turbo-1 said:
When I was a kid, Sputnik scared the crap out of the military and the politicians. More emphasis was placed on science and math (even in elementary school), and there was extra aptitude testing, I believe. I know that my parents were urged to encourage my curiosity and direct it at sciences. As a result, I got a science-related Christmas gift every year, though my parents could barely afford it. A Sears Newtonian reflector, a cheap Edmund's microscope, a chemistry set... There were six of us living in a 5-room dump of a rental house, and still they managed to pull it together. There weren't many TVs in our town then, but the school had one, and we had a general assembly to watch every televised launch - and not just the manned shots.

I had all of it and F@U&%*CK763ED it up, but now that I am seeing this new media and the inherent potential of it I love stories like this. Anyone with more?
 
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