Comments on: I give up. http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/ The Universe as seen from the perspective of an astronomical researcher, presenter and writer. Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:28:22 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bob Cadloff http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-99013 Bob Cadloff Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:53:37 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-99013 The one thing that's sadly lacking on almost all news outlets is any semblance of good science reporting. This is typical. Your (wishful) assertion that "the correct way to talk to people about astronomy is to assume that they’re intelligent and interested" is, sadly, misplaced. But you knew that. I'm constantly amazed by what people who I always regarded as fairly clever, fall for. This whole thing just goes in to the big, overflowing urban legends bin. That big bin full of nonsense that so many people regard as plausible stories. Sadly, this Mars tripe is partly fuelled by the the same bunch of yahoos who just won't let go of the "face on Mars" poppycock. I can't decide if they just want to sell books, or if they really are crazy. The one thing that’s sadly lacking on almost all news outlets is any semblance of good science reporting. This is typical. Your (wishful) assertion that “the correct way to talk to people about astronomy is to assume that they’re intelligent and interested” is, sadly, misplaced. But you knew that.
I’m constantly amazed by what people who I always regarded as fairly clever, fall for. This whole thing just goes in to the big, overflowing urban legends bin. That big bin full of nonsense that so many people regard as plausible stories.
Sadly, this Mars tripe is partly fuelled by the the same bunch of yahoos who just won’t let go of the “face on Mars” poppycock. I can’t decide if they just want to sell books, or if they really are crazy.

]]> By: Driller http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-39855 Driller Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:46:51 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-39855 I think it looks like something my dog left behind; had I owned a bull, then it would succinctly sum up this story. I think it looks like something my dog left behind; had I owned a bull, then it would succinctly sum up this story.

]]> By: Chris Lintott’s Universe » Life on Mars? http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-38444 Chris Lintott’s Universe » Life on Mars? Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:12:20 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-38444 [...] This is (probably) the last post about our friend the Martian Bigfoot. Having been rude about the BBC News article on the subject, I’m delighted they’ve given me a chance to write my take on the subject. You can read my brief history of life on Mars here. [...] [...] This is (probably) the last post about our friend the Martian Bigfoot. Having been rude about the BBC News article on the subject, I’m delighted they’ve given me a chance to write my take on the subject. You can read my brief history of life on Mars here. [...]

]]> By: Chris Lintott’s Universe » Spirit says… http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-37346 Chris Lintott’s Universe » Spirit says… Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:18:00 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-37346 [...] It seemed that my anger struck a chord, and I’ve been literally deluged with a email asking me to commemorate the fact that it’s a rock. I couldn’t resist marking the momentous discovery of a rock, so you’re welcome to wander over to cafe press and acquire something that will remind everyone you meet… [...] [...] It seemed that my anger struck a chord, and I’ve been literally deluged with a email asking me to commemorate the fact that it’s a rock. I couldn’t resist marking the momentous discovery of a rock, so you’re welcome to wander over to cafe press and acquire something that will remind everyone you meet… [...]

]]> By: KPM http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-36304 KPM Fri, 25 Jan 2008 16:41:32 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-36304 In todays London Metro freebie paper it has a feature on Opportunity and it being the fourth anniversary of its stay on Mars, I could not beleive it they listed its scientific finds and the problems old age is causing it. This paper is normally a bit of mind bubble gum for the early morning commute so I say well done. BBC journalism is very hit an miss these days and the Breakfast show is just childish rubbish with slurry county accents that do not belong in the 21st century, I watch Euro news at least it has a dedicated science slot and gives a broader view of the news. If the Beeb does do anything of quality it is buried somewhere in BBC9 or whatever at 2am Monday morning. The license fee is not justifiable when people outside the UK watch and listen to it for free. Perhaps if editors everwhere woke up to the space age and the increadible missions that are currently in operation we may not have so many budget cuts in science and more students taking it up. Oh well I suppose Star Trek is far more real and the population of the pale blue dot more interested in blowing themselves up. Mars was in fantastic view last night even from dear old London most don't even know its there when you show them they are agog why are we so silent in a noisy media world. In todays London Metro freebie paper it has a feature on Opportunity and it being the fourth anniversary of its stay on Mars, I could not beleive it they listed its scientific finds and the problems old age is causing it. This paper is normally a bit of mind bubble gum for the early morning commute so I say well done.
BBC journalism is very hit an miss these days and the Breakfast show is just childish rubbish with slurry county accents that do not belong in the 21st century, I watch Euro news at least it has a dedicated science slot and gives a broader view of the news. If the Beeb does do anything of quality it is buried somewhere in BBC9 or whatever at 2am Monday morning. The license fee is not justifiable when people outside the UK watch and listen to it for free. Perhaps if editors everwhere woke up to the space age and the increadible missions that are currently in operation we may not have so many budget cuts in science and more students taking it up.
Oh well I suppose Star Trek is far more real and the population of the pale blue dot more interested in blowing themselves up. Mars was in fantastic view last night even from dear old London most don’t even know its there when you show them they are agog why are we so silent in a noisy media world.

]]> By: Alice Sheppard http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-36264 Alice Sheppard Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:20:52 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-36264 This is the problem with things starting as jokes. For example, according to some old family history, the idea of tinned custard was proposed and offered to the market as a joke. It ended up selling successfully . . . still, even things like this rock do not make it worth sacrificing your sense of humour! This is the problem with things starting as jokes. For example, according to some old family history, the idea of tinned custard was proposed and offered to the market as a joke. It ended up selling successfully . . . still, even things like this rock do not make it worth sacrificing your sense of humour!

]]> By: Hanny http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-36131 Hanny Thu, 24 Jan 2008 21:28:04 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-36131 Chris, I'm sorry, this must be frustrating.. but, I laught so hard I had tears in my eyes.. realy loved your answers! Of course it's a rock!! Hanny. Chris,

I’m sorry, this must be frustrating.. but, I laught so hard I had tears in my eyes.. realy loved your answers! Of course it’s a rock!!

Hanny.

]]> By: Robert Simpson http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-36104 Robert Simpson Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:42:45 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-36104 Also, the constant skeptic's comment made me laugh really hard. Thanks! Also, the constant skeptic’s comment made me laugh really hard. Thanks!

]]> By: Robert Simpson http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-36103 Robert Simpson Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:41:51 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-36103 Once more with feeling: IT'S A ROCK!!! Once more with feeling: IT’S A ROCK!!!

]]> By: Chris Lintott’s Universe » Beyond Bigfoot http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/comment-page-1/#comment-36100 Chris Lintott’s Universe » Beyond Bigfoot Thu, 24 Jan 2008 18:29:51 +0000 http://chrislintott.net/2008/01/23/i-give-up/#comment-36100 [...] Emily over at the Planetary Society blog is often full of wisdom, and I’m impressed she managed to keep calmer that I did when faced with ’Bigfoot’ on Mars. (It’s STILL a rock!) She says : [...] [...] Emily over at the Planetary Society blog is often full of wisdom, and I’m impressed she managed to keep calmer that I did when faced with ’Bigfoot’ on Mars. (It’s STILL a rock!) She says : [...]

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