- #1
Mathnomalous
- 83
- 5
The Science Channel will be showing a special 1hr MythBusters program next week. In the promotional video for the show, one of the attractions offered are "science celebs" (Michio Kaku is briefly shown).
I understand the Science Channel, Discovery, et al need to add entertainment value to their programming but I find the promotion of "science celebs" a bit inappropriate; this may lead to a dangerous situation where the "accepted" science is the one espoused by the "most popular" person and not necessarily the individual with the hard evidence.
Corollary: I know Albert Einstein was arguably the first "science celebrity" but at least the man occupied most of his time doing research. In contrast, guys like Michio Kaku seem to invest an obscene amount of time doing radio, television, etc. Where do these people find time to do research?
I understand the Science Channel, Discovery, et al need to add entertainment value to their programming but I find the promotion of "science celebs" a bit inappropriate; this may lead to a dangerous situation where the "accepted" science is the one espoused by the "most popular" person and not necessarily the individual with the hard evidence.
Corollary: I know Albert Einstein was arguably the first "science celebrity" but at least the man occupied most of his time doing research. In contrast, guys like Michio Kaku seem to invest an obscene amount of time doing radio, television, etc. Where do these people find time to do research?