Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 2398 Images: 7 Location: Michigan
Thanks: 803 Thanked: 608 times in 439 posts
Gender: Country:
What happened to scientists?
What happened to scientists over the last sixty years or so?
Scientists of the 1950's were portrayed by leading men, with dashing good looks, a jaw line like a steam shovel and a charismatic take-charge attitude.
Even into the sixties. Think of adventure stories with Johnny Quest.
Now, if you are auditioning to be a scientist, you had better be thin, creepy, spineless, and have glasses thick enough to see microbes.
_________________ Have you tried that? Looking for answers? Or have you been content to be terrified of a thing you know nothing about?
Nowhere in the Bible does it state that the truth would be revealed through logic and evidence. -James Williamson MD
Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings.
In the absence of God, I found Man. -Guillermo Del Torro
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. -Derek Bok
You wouldn't like me when i'm angry... Because I always back up my rage with facts and documented sources. -The Credible Hulk
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 3224 Location: Canberra
Thanks: 822 Thanked: 817 times in 614 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
In the 1960s, the USA was an optimistic country full of enterprise and initiative. President Kennedy told Congress on May 25, 1961 that the USA would put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth within the decade, and this was achieved, at a time when technology and wealth were much lower than today.
An Apollo program for the new millennium could begin to reduce the concentration of atmospheric CO2 by 2020.
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Images: 3 Location: Cheshire, England
Thanks: 147 Thanked: 300 times in 244 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
Quote:
johnson wrote:
If you conjure up an image of a scientist in your mind, it is probably one of the last people you would want to have sex with.
OOOoooooo, No.....
This was our last weekend's Weekend Magazine - front cover spread read:-
Gods of Science - Stephen Hawking, Brian Cox, David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins.
Their pictures were on the front cover......I've fancied David Attenborough since I was a teenager.
If you want to read the article - Brain Storming - Do great minds really think alike? David Attenborough meets Richard Dawkins, and Stephen Hawking takes on Brian Cox in a Weekend science special.
Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1872 Images: 1 Location: NC
Thanks: 410 Thanked: 468 times in 349 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
johnson1010 wrote:
I just think it is unfortunate that science has been stereotyped into such an undesireable thing to be a part of.
If you conjure up an image of a scientist in your mind, it is probably one of the last people you would want to have sex with.
So, I wonder, why has culture gone in this direction to cast science in a negative light? Could it have something to do with the fact that scientists tend to be overwhelmingly liberal/progressive?
Certainly in recent years many conservatives tend to blame science for coming to hasty conclusions about global warming. To be fair, the science behind global warming seems far from conclusive, but it's human nature to pick sides and political forces tend to polarize us. Many of the political solutions being dreamed up cause fear and consternation amongst conservatives. But I don't know if that's where the nerdy scientist image comes from.
_________________ -Geo Who Knows Only His Own Generation Remains Always a Child Cicero, Orator 120
Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 2398 Images: 7 Location: Michigan
Thanks: 803 Thanked: 608 times in 439 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
I think it has to do with capitalism.
Capatalists sell to those with the money. Those with the most disposable money are younger, having fewer bills, or depending on their parents money to spend.
In order to sell to teenagers, they pander to teenagers. That includes glorifying things teenagers like to do, such as playing sports, impressing girls, and gossip. In essence, the cultural steering wheel brings us closer and closer to a perpetual high school mentality.
football players get paid millions of dollars because they can run just a bit faster than others, and catch a ball. They get paid that because people blow their money on them, wishing they could be like them, using them as goals for their children, celebrating the flexing muscle, and sex appeal, rather than the technological infrastructure that lets them live like that.
The scientist who eventually cures cancer will be treated like a hero, but nobody is going to try to have sex with them, or get their autograph. They will never be on E! where glamorous gossip mongers will wring their hands obsessing over whether or not they have had a recent surgery, or started dating somebody on the sly.
Grown-ups have ceded the cultural zeigeist to teenagers. The things we value are immature. The kinds of things that kids value. Big boobs, cars that go fast, guys who punk out other guys, and really, really big explosions.
The only way to get people to pay attention to science is to surround it with said boobs, cars, tough guys and bombs.
_________________ Have you tried that? Looking for answers? Or have you been content to be terrified of a thing you know nothing about?
Nowhere in the Bible does it state that the truth would be revealed through logic and evidence. -James Williamson MD
Science flies you to the moon. Religion flies you into buildings.
In the absence of God, I found Man. -Guillermo Del Torro
If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. -Derek Bok
You wouldn't like me when i'm angry... Because I always back up my rage with facts and documented sources. -The Credible Hulk
Last edited by johnson1010 on Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
The following user would like to thank johnson1010 for this post: geo
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Images: 3 Location: Cheshire, England
Thanks: 147 Thanked: 300 times in 244 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
Quote:
johnson said:
Capatalists sell to those with the money. Those with the most disposable money are younger, having fewer bills, or depending on their parents money to spend.
Dear, dear, Johnson, (no, with a small j). I love you!!! Really, I do.
Because, you are there, over the ocean on the other side of the pond.....saying exactly what we are saying....over here in little ole England....
We are feeling that it isn't our world any more....we don't understand, or believe in, what 'the youth' believe in.
Keep, telling the truth....they don't like it, but we owe it to them.....so, we can only tell them how it has been for us.....truthfully.
_________________ Stand firm in your refusal to remain conscious during algebra. In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra.
Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Images: 3 Location: Cheshire, England
Thanks: 147 Thanked: 300 times in 244 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
Quote:
johnson said:
In order to sell to teenagers, they pander to teenagers. That includes glorifying things teenagers like to do, such as playing sports, impressing girls, and gossip. In essence, the cultural steering wheel brings us closer and closer to a perpetual high school mentality.
It's about 'competition'...So..Don't be competitive. Be cool, man....
I believe there was something there in the sixties....about 'make love, not war'. But the bloody drug culture fucked it up...
Sorry.....I think I should withdraw from here......if you want me, I'll be in the bar, having a little cry. xxxxx
_________________ Stand firm in your refusal to remain conscious during algebra. In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra.
Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 540 Images: 1 Location: Arkham Asylum
Thanks: 32 Thanked: 55 times in 44 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
I think the latest portrayal of scientists have started to get a bit dark. Think a creepy, greedy, power hungry, unethical type. Like in Splice. (-shudders-) The 1960's portrayal was during the moon landing as somebody already said, so they were a bit more optimistic.
Although in Avatar, the portrayal did seem more optimistic. The scientists were all about helping, but then the portrayed the military in a negative way (which is nothing new I suppose).
_________________ Big bright accent, catty smile Oscar Wilde confrontation Ah, live like it's the style.
Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 32
Thanks: 2 Thanked: 6 times in 5 posts
Gender: Country:
Re: What happened to scientists?
It might be that because science lacks the requisite shallowness of modern convenience.Sports and movies are so much easer to comprehend and usually come to quicker conclusions,So how else could these science geeks and nerds be portrayed, besides aren't all scientist bent on the break down of human society? Just to throw this out there Lisa Randall(Warped Passages) gets my vote for science Hottie.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot post attachments in this forum
Love to talk about books but don't have time for our book discussion forums? For casual book talk join us on Facebook.
Support BookTalk.org
BookTalk.org is being upgraded to a totally new design. This upgrade is expensive. Any support would be VERY helpful! See who supports us.
Make a donation
PEOPLE PAYING FOR OUR UPGRADE:
• afv - $10 May
• LevV - $50 March
• Dexter - $10 March
• supernova38 - $25 March
• Oblivion - $20 March
• jheimlich - $20 February
• Robert Tulip - $50 February
• giselle - $50 January
Children here need worming
regularly, and I think I
need to buy more worming
tablets, so while my friends
sit on the beach, I have to
catch bush taxis up to the… more
The children have a long way
to walk to the nearest primary
school. At the moment they are
in temporary accommodation,
with volunteer teachers. There
is community land available,
a… more
The price of The 12th Disciple
has been updated to $3.99 for
Kindle readers. The book is
still available for free to
borrow for Amazon Prime
members. To be
competitive, and s… more
The 12th Disciple has been
reviewed by two different
people on Amazon. They
purchased the Kindle edition;
one in the US, one in the
UK. One review was
5-stars (US) and the oth… more
I'd like to say I've
been reading Harry Potter
since the day the world renown
series appeared on the
scene. Unfortunately,
the truth is I began reading
Harry Potter… more
Easter teaches many of us the
importance of redemption and
resurrection. Regardless of
what faith people follow, the
story of Jesus Christ has been
told in many languages in many
c… more
Our Book Talk will begin on
Wednesday, May 2nd. I look
forward to hearing about your
learning and classroom
experiences with Number Talks
as it all unfolds...
NONOPPOSITIONAL NONVIOLENCE
“The minute you conquer the
fear of death, at that moment
you are free. I submit to you
that if a man hasnÂ’t
discovered something that he
will die f… more
Yesterday, when I went to feed
Jeni the donkey, I noticed
swarms of bees entering
EbrimaÂ’s house through the
cracks in the door. We both
had a look, but he didnÂ’t
open his door… more
Whether you want to implement
number talks but are unsure of
how to begin or have
experience but want more
guidance in crafting
purposeful problems, this
dynamic multimedia resourc… more
Do you feel entitled? For
years I have listened to and,
in some instances, complained
that some people in America
feel entitled. For years I
have watched as these people
are portra… more
On Fat Tuesday and Ash
Wednesday of 2012, The 12th
Disciple was free to Kindle
users on both days. In all,
about 550 worldwide Kindle
users downloaded a copy of the
book.
‘Sacred Are the Brave’ a
collection of short stories
about the nonviolent
revolutions 1986-1989 is now
available in Kindle. Each of
the nine stories has
characters who are just
… more
The Weekend TrippersÂ’ is the
true story of Rfn Ted Taylor
and his part in the heroic
last stand in Calais May 1940.
The Weekend Trippers is based
on TedÂ’s diaries written at
the… more
Tell your friends when to meet you in the BookTalk.org Chat Room.
If you enjoy business bestsellers and would like to expand your business knowledge check out the quality book summaries offered by the world's leading book summary company.
BookTalk.org is a free book discussion group or online reading group or book club. We read and talk about both fiction and non-fiction books as a group. We host live author chats where booktalk members can interact with and interview authors. We give away free books to our members in book giveaway contests. Our booktalks are open to everybody who enjoys talking about books. Our book forums include book reviews, author interviews and book resources for readers and book lovers. Discussing books is our passion. We're a literature forum, or reading forum. Register a free book club account today! Suggest nonfiction and fiction books. Authors and publishers are welcome to advertise their books or ask for an author chat or author interview.
Tweet This Topic
). 
