Geoscientist 22.03 April 2012
One of the mistakes that scientists frequently make whenever they turn their minds to matters of public awareness, is to think that all people at all times must do nothing other than fall on their rear ends in admiration. Anything less is so often taken as some kind of failure.
Now this would be all the more laughable if available evidence did not show that scientists are already among the more highly admired and respected of people in society. But heavens, let us not allow facts get in the way of a good prejudice, especially if it allows us to whimper alone in our rooms, which after all in this adolescent fantasy is the next best thing to being invited to parade through London on elephants. No, take it from me - the sure way to know you’ve made it is to find yourself attacked for never being off the telly. I am happy to say that such evidence is emerging.
First, the
Guardian’s TV critic Sam Wollaston (no relation, we assume), offering his view on BBC’s
Super Smart Animals, wrote of its presenter Liz Bonnin on 8 February: “She could have done more to show off her (genuine) science credentials as well as her lovely smile; but then it is a nice change to have a science programme that isn't some Scottish bloke banging on about rocks.” Ahem. I think we all know who you mean, Wollaston. And he’s from Glasgow, so I’d watch it if I were you.
Anyway, hardly had we stopped reeling from this piece of cheek when another BBC series
The Great British Countryside, fronted by comedian Hugh Dennis and
Countryfile’s Julia Bradbury, elicited the following opening sentence in a review by the
Daily Telegraph’s Michael Deacon. Clearing his throat for a legitimate complaint about the little Englandism that so often overtakes popular lanscape-related programmes, he wrote: “You know Britain’s in a bad way when we’re reduced to bragging about our geology. Don’t worry about recession or cuts or unemployment – we’ve got some first-rate granite, and don’t let anyone tell you different.... On the soundtrack, strings soared majestically. It felt like the Last Night of the Proms, but with slightly more talk of magma.”
Well, now that they’re well sick of us on the telly,
Nick Petford (no stranger to the box himself), urges us to spread our tedious dominion over the social networks too. Amen to that, say I. There can be no surer sign that one’s head – or another part of the anatomy – has made it above the parapet than some non-entity or other should decide to take a pot at it. I look forward eagerly to being de-friended and unfollowed anytime soon.
TED NIELD
Editor