Criticism of Wonders of the Universe Brian Cox

[RonPrice]

As Chris Harvey writes in his review of the first episode of Brian Cox's new series, Wonders of the Universe (BBC Two): The first law of thermodynamics stipulates that when a TV scientist tries to slip the phrase “second law of thermodynamics” into a sentence, a large proportion of viewers start wondering what’s happening on MasterChef. "Life as we know it," Professor Cox explained at one point, "is only possible for one thousandth of a billion billion billionth, billion billion billionth, billion billion billionth of a percent" of the lifespan of the universe. And of that barely conceivable fraction, a human life occupies only a tiny space. You wonder whether it's really worth getting up in the morning. At least that is the way which Tom Sutcliffe put it in "Time flies with the star trekker," The Independent, 7 March 2011. I'll let you read the rest of his critique at: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-weekends-tv-wonders-of-the-universe-sun-bbc2brcivilization-is-the-west-history-sun-channel-4-2234160.html

[pzkpfw]

That's a broken link; you've copy-pasted a shortened for visiblity version of the URL. Before it's fixed, though, could you add some content of your own? As in, why are you wanting to post this link here at BAUT? Do you think the programme mentioned qualifies as "bad astronomy"?

[Strange]

I'll let you read the rest of his critique at: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/the-weekends-tv-wonders-of-the-universe-sun-bbc2brcivilization-is-the-west-history-sun-channel-4-2234160.html

Someone who objects to the original British spelling of civilization as an "Americanism" is not worthy of any attention, in my opinion.

Although I do find myself in sneaking agreement with his dislike of the BBC's documentary style of jumping to locations around the globe to punctuate the sentences: he mentions the temperature of the Sun? Better film it in a dessert. He says, "cool"? Jump to the Arctic.

And, re. the point about thermodynamics, even if it is true surely it is only true of those who aren't interested in a science documentary in the first place.

[slang]

What's wrong with Masterchef? Come to think of it, I wanna see Brian Cox in it, competing against other top notch or not scientists. Phil!

[elizabeth25]

I dont know what people moan about really, I love wonders of the solar system and wonders of the universe. I have both of the books too. He starts filming the new one in September, 'wonders of life', cant wait to watch it, I think he is brilliant, who cares if he travels the world to explain things, it helps some people understand more about what he is talking about.

[Strange]

who cares if he travels the world to explain things, it helps some people understand more about what he is talking about.

Maybe I am just jealous!

[elizabeth25]

Maybe I am just jealous!

A lot of people are jealous, but that doesn't mean they cant do it for themselves if i had the money then sure i would go and see the spectacular and amazing sites that he shows us.

[chrlzs]

...a large proportion of viewers start wondering what’s happening on MasterChef....


...Better film it in a dessert...

:D I see what you did there...

[Strange]

:D I see what you did there...

And I was trying so hard not to ...