- #1
T.O.E Dream
- 219
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Does anybody know of any video's I can watch to learn what a physicist does?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the question of what a physicist typically does in their work, exploring the idea of video representations of physicists' activities. It includes considerations of the diversity of physicists' roles, the nature of their work, and the potential for media portrayals.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
Main Points Raised
- One participant inquires about videos that depict the work of physicists.
- Another suggests that visiting a local high school or university might be more informative than watching videos.
- A participant recommends the PBS "Nova" program, noting that it features physicists at work and has some episodes available online.
- It is pointed out that there is no "usual" work for physicists due to the wide range of applications and research topics they may focus on.
- Concerns are raised about the limitations of "real time" shows, suggesting they would not accurately convey the depth of physicists' work, which often involves long periods of contemplation and analysis.
- A participant shares their experience at a particle accelerator, indicating that watching physicists work could be uninteresting for viewers.
- Another participant proposes the idea of a 'reality TV' program about physicists that could edit out less engaging parts to provide a better impression of their work.
- Suggestions are made to read books that provide insights into the research process and the experiences of scientists, such as "The Double Helix" and "The Subjective Side of Science."
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of videos versus direct observation of physicists' work, and there is no consensus on the best way to represent what physicists do.
Contextual Notes
The discussion highlights the variability in physicists' work and the challenges in accurately portraying it through media, emphasizing the subjective nature of scientific experiences.
- #2
renob
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Why do you need a video when you can just visit your local high school?
- #3
dx
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You mean your local university.
- #4
jtbell
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If you're in the USA, keep an eye on the PBS "Nova" TV program. It often has shows dealing with physics topics, showing physicists at work on some experiment or other.
Aha, PBS even has some of them on line:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs/int_phys.html
Aha, PBS even has some of them on line:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs/int_phys.html
- #5
aerospaceut10
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Problem is, there is no "usual" work for physicists, as there are a huge range of applications/research topics that can be their focus.
- #6
f95toli
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Also, physics takes time so a "real time" show would not really tell you very much.
Chances are that it would just be be program showing someone staring at a computer, occasionally typing something and constantly drinking coffee.
For the viewer there wouldn't be any way of telling if the person was working on a deep problem in string theory, analyzing experimental data or posting on PF (when he really should be working
).
Chances are that it would just be be program showing someone staring at a computer, occasionally typing something and constantly drinking coffee.
For the viewer there wouldn't be any way of telling if the person was working on a deep problem in string theory, analyzing experimental data or posting on PF (when he really should be working
).- #7
Born2bwire
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f95toli said:Also, physics takes time so a "real time" show would not really tell you very much.
Chances are that it would just be be program showing someone staring at a computer, occasionally typing something and constantly drinking coffee.
For the viewer there wouldn't be any way of telling if the person was working on a deep problem in string theory, analyzing experimental data or posting on PF (when he really should be working
Ha, I've worked at a particle accelerator and as cool as that is you'd still be bored to tears if you sat around and watched us work.
- #8
mal4mac
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I can't see why there couldn't be a 'reality TV' programme about physicists that could edit out the boring bits and still give a good impression. Maybe:
http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200512/reality.cfm
Here's some to sift through, may give 'insights':
http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/subject.aspx?fID=572&pID=476
Might be better to read a book ' 'The Double Helix' by Crick and Watson gave a good impressions of the nuts and bolts of research. Also there's a book called "The Subjective Side of Science" by Mitroff, a sociologist who looked closely at the motivation and subjective experiences of NASA scientists.
http://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200512/reality.cfm
Here's some to sift through, may give 'insights':
http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/subject.aspx?fID=572&pID=476
Might be better to read a book ' 'The Double Helix' by Crick and Watson gave a good impressions of the nuts and bolts of research. Also there's a book called "The Subjective Side of Science" by Mitroff, a sociologist who looked closely at the motivation and subjective experiences of NASA scientists.
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