Brian 2.0 Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 If you haven't yet started watching the new reboot of the old Carl Sagan show, I can't recommend it enough.http://www.cosmosontv.comTwo episodes have aired. The first going through how amazingly massive and old the known universe is and how we as humans have only been around for a tiny blip of it on our tiny planet. My reaction was much like that of Moses: "I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed."The 2nd episode deals with evolution and natural selection. One highlight was showing the evolutionary steps of the eye showing how it was far from being "irreducibility complex". One quote from that ep that ties into a recent debate on a closed thread;"Nobody knows how life got started, most of the evidence from that time was destroyed by impacts and erosion."I'm sure the series will be viewed in all sorts of ways by people... to some it will support their view that all religions and God are simple man-made constructs... to some the beauty and majesty of the universe and creation will support their belief in a God-designer using all sorts of natural laws... and others will see this as propaganda of the devil with Neil deGraase Tyson being a modern-day anti-Christ. I, for one, love it. Here's another quote that I may just have to put in my signature:"Science works on the frontier of knowledge and ignorance. We're not afraid to admit what we don't know -- there's no shame in that. The only shame is to pretend we have all the answers."
thesometimesaint Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 I enjoyed the original and the reboot is even better, so far. It is hubris to claim to even know the right questions to ask, and extreme hubris to claim to have all the right answers.
Buckeye Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) I'm watching the series with my kids. It's really wonderful. I especially like the references to Carl Sagan, but my kids are most caught up in the animations. Last night we talked about how our family tree not only includes grandparents, but squid. The best comment came from my 9-year old who said, "wait, bears have eggs?" I also appreciate the humility and genuine joy of discovery that permeates the show. Edited March 17, 2014 by Buckeye
jaxenro Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) No we only do DVD's no TV. When possible I try to pre screen the DVD to ensure it is appropriate for my wife to watch Edited March 17, 2014 by jaxenro
Tacenda Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 No we only do DVD's no TV. When possible I try to pre screen the DVD to ensure it is appropriate for my wife to watchWhat? You don't trust your wife to make that decision?
jaxenro Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 (edited) What? You don't trust your wife to make that decision?Why would you assume that? Does no other scenario come to mind or do you automatically assume the worst? Suppose I said it is easier for her for me to make that determination for her? PS - if you had simply asked why instead of what and making assumptions I would have answered. My wife has seizures and some shows with blinking lights, flashy graphics, fast scene changes, and the like bring them on. I try to check for those so it is safe for her to watch unless we have a good idea the show will not contain them Edited March 17, 2014 by jaxenro
CV75 Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 If you haven't yet started watching the new reboot of the old Carl Sagan show, I can't recommend it enough. I get it on Hulu so I've only seen the first episode so far. Though I think it is a far cry in quality from the original, I'll keep watching unless it becomes more chessy (the ship--come on!) than the first episode. It seems much more watered down than I recall the original series, and the host a bit blander, but also comes across as a recruitment tool for tweens to study science (which isn't a bad thing), so maybe it's just supposed to be a family program / classroom discussion vehicle. I did enjoy the tribute to Sagan (Tyson's experience as a youth) at the end.
omni Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 If you haven't yet started watching the new reboot of the old Carl Sagan show, I can't recommend it enough.http://www.cosmosontv.comTwo episodes have aired. The first going through how amazingly massive and old the known universe is and how we as humans have only been around for a tiny blip of it on our tiny planet. My reaction was much like that of Moses: "I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed."The 2nd episode deals with evolution and natural selection. One highlight was showing the evolutionary steps of the eye showing how it was far from being "irreducibility complex". One quote from that ep that ties into a recent debate on a closed thread;"Nobody knows how life got started, most of the evidence from that time was destroyed by impacts and erosion."I'm sure the series will be viewed in all sorts of ways by people... to some it will support their view that all religions and God are simple man-made constructs... to some the beauty and majesty of the universe and creation will support their belief in a God-designer using all sorts of natural laws... and others will see this as propaganda of the devil with Neil deGraase Tyson being a modern-day anti-Christ. I, for one, love it. Here's another quote that I may just have to put in my signature:"Science works on the frontier of knowledge and ignorance. We're not afraid to admit what we don't know -- there's no shame in that. The only shame is to pretend we have all the answers."You might also enjoy the excellent series on Science Channel called How The Universe Works. It discusses many of the subjects covered in the first episode, but in much greater detail. I really like Tyson, but I think it would have served the series better to have an experienced host while using Tyson in short clips explaining the science.
Tacenda Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Why would you assume that? Does no other scenario come to mind or do you automatically assume the worst? Suppose I said it is easier for her for me to make that determination for her? PS - if you had simply asked why instead of what and making assumptions I would have answered. My wife has seizures and some shows with blinking lights, flashy graphics, fast scene changes, and the like bring them on. I try to check for those so it is safe for her to watch unless we have a good idea the show will not contain themOnce again....
Calm Posted March 17, 2014 Posted March 17, 2014 Why would you assume that? Does no other scenario come to mind or do you automatically assume the worst? Suppose I said it is easier for her for me to make that determination for her? PS - if you had simply asked why instead of what and making assumptions I would have answered. My wife has seizures and some shows with blinking lights, flashy graphics, fast scene changes, and the like bring them on. I try to check for those so it is safe for her to watch unless we have a good idea the show will not contain themSome of the stuff these days makes me sick and I don't get seizures. They should put warnings on shows with this kind of stuff, imo, as I would think that will all the editing and such process, it would be easy to find out if the vid enters into the dangerous areas of intensities and frequencies.
The Nehor Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Once again.... Don't be ashamed. Blame him for being misleading and vague. 1
jaxenro Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) Once again.... No need, it's a private matter I try to shelter her from a lot. I am used to people misunderstanding and don't take offense. It is worse when people don't understand why she doesn't use the phone often or stays home (car rides, motion, etc). They tend to blame me as a controlling or abusive husband. It goes with the territory. I am sure I was more touchy in response and should apologize. Forgot I was new here and no one knows me "Blame him for being misleading and vague" Go ahead if it makes you feel good Edited March 18, 2014 by jaxenro
emarkp Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 We've only watched the first episode, and have been horribly disappointed. It was mostly a paean to the wonders of science, without presenting much science. Combined with the over-the-top (and historically inaccurate) presentation of Bruno's story (with special appearances by the bad guys in Tron: Uprising) it was pretty disappointing. I also did a facepalm when they presented the Big Bang as an explosion. I guess you have to, but sigh. The commercial format has seriously degraded it as well. Every commercial break requires a reset of the narrative that came before. And while I was touched by Tyson's story of meeting Sagan, it really didn't belong in a science show. Should have been a DVD or online bonus feature.
Tacenda Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Once again.... No need, it's a private matter I try to shelter her from a lot. I am used to people misunderstanding and don't take offense. It is worse when people don't understand why she doesn't use the phone often or stays home (car rides, motion, etc). They tend to blame me as a controlling or abusive husband. It goes with the territory. I am sure I was more touchy in response and should apologize. Forgot I was new here and no one knows me"Blame him for being misleading and vague"Go ahead if it makes you feel goodI do a lot of jumping to conclusions, so I'll take the blame. It's difficult to discuss in this medium, as you once mentioned.As I read on this board, I see that a lot of people are suffering like your wife. I stand in awe of them and those who support them. The only real hardship I've ever had is losing parents within months of the other and a mother who had an early onset of Ahlzheimers. I need to think before submitting my replies from now on.
frank_jessop Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 I like Mr. Tyson. I was reluctant to watch the show, because most of the time shows like this speak as fact. Also Degrasse Tyson views are religion are very harsh. Glad to hear the shows is generally user friendly.
jaxenro Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 My mother has advanced Alzheimer's she doesn't know who I am anymore. Lost my father over 30 years ago he never saw any of my children. I guess you just learn to move on.Adversity is there for us to learn from and I am far from perfect learning the lessons I should. Like I said I was touchy I should have dropped you a private note and not a public one. The fault is mine
asweaterfriend Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 I've really liked the Cosmos so far. I think Neil has a knack for explaining complex scientific research and findings to amateurs and wannabes like me.
Brian 2.0 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Posted March 18, 2014 I've really liked the Cosmos so far. I think Neil has a knack for explaining complex scientific research and findings to amateurs and wannabes like me.As a wannabe myself I also was impressed that my wife really enjoys and looks forward to the episodes... seeing that she's generally bored and uninterested when I try to talk science topics with her. It's meant for the masses for sure but there definitely a place for that.
BCSpace Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Love science. Especially Astronomy. However, I've been very disappointed in Carl Sagan and now the modern Bill Nye and Neil Degrasse Tyson with their unwarranted snide remarks and attacks on religion which are a huge stumbling block for many in getting to understand and appreciate science.
thesometimesaint Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 Love science. Especially Astronomy. However, I've been very disappointed in Carl Sagan and now the modern Bill Nye and Neil Degrasse Tyson with their unwarranted snide remarks and attacks on religion which are a huge stumbling block for many in getting to understand and appreciate science. You have got to admit that religion has done some pretty awful things to attack scientists. Bruno wasn't a scientist. He was a theologian who had the misfortune of having a brilliant idea before its time. Copernicus kept quiet about his research for fear of the Inquisition. It took only 4 centuries for the Catholic church to apologize to Galileo. I'm heartened by the fact that some 40% of all US scientists are Theists, and they see no inherent disabling conflict between science and religion. IE; Henry Eyring, father of Apostle Henry Eyring, was a committed scientist, evolution supporter, and faithful member of the Church. 1
Yirgacheffe Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 I get it on Hulu so I've only seen the first episode so far. Though I think it is a far cry in quality from the original, I'll keep watching unless it becomes more chessy (the ship--come on!) than the first episode. It seems much more watered down than I recall the original series, and the host a bit blander, but also comes across as a recruitment tool for tweens to study science (which isn't a bad thing), so maybe it's just supposed to be a family program / classroom discussion vehicle. I did enjoy the tribute to Sagan (Tyson's experience as a youth) at the end.You have described my reaction to the show perfectly, though I though the ship annoying more than cheesy. We will keep watching it for the tween recruitment aspect.
CV75 Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 You have described my reaction to the show perfectly, though I though the ship annoying more than cheesy. We will keep watching it for the tween recruitment aspect.Oh that ship! Hopefully they'll introduce a colorful engineer character...
Nofear Posted March 18, 2014 Posted March 18, 2014 You have got to admit that religion has done some pretty awful things to attack scientists. Indeed, the Adversary did some "wonderful" work in his opposition to the truth with his influences on the theology of apostate Christianity -- in particular with respect to the treatment of science. That said, the Adversary has also done some handiwork with the grand assumption many make with secular materialism, namely that the whole universe is only composed of things that science has currently "encountered". Both of these extreme positions are enemies to truth and light. Mormons ought to be careful. In this battle, the enemy of my enemy (go either way) is not our friend. 1
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