'The Happening' and Bad Science

[Elian Gonzales]

Oh no. I heard an interview today with Ira Flatow (Science Friday) and M. Night Shyamalan and the latter (while promoting his movie "The Happening") was talking about a "great new" biography of Einstein and how Al started out as an atheist and later became a believer.

Oh no, that's totally not right.

Mr. Flatow politely disagreed that Einstein was a believer in his later years, but Mr. Shyamalan continued to talk about science and religion and a clip from the movie was played where the main character says (paraphrase), "In the end, it's just a theory...there are forces at work we don't know about."

And then, Mr. Shyamalan mentioned the God of the Gaps idea.

Double oh no.

I had a mental image of scores of people walking away from this movie with the idea that science really can't explain the HIDDEN TRUTH behind nature's patterns (you know, "irreducible complexity") and that science fails because it "can't explain gaps" or promoting the use of the word "theory" in science to be synonymous with "hunch."

I was pretty discouraged by the end of the interview.

[Fazor]

I had a mental image of scores of people walking away from this movie with the idea that science really can't explain the HIDDEN TRUTH behind nature's patterns (you know, "irreducible complexity") and that science fails because it "can't explain gaps" or promoting the use of the word "theory" in science to be synonymous with "hunch."

I was pretty discouraged by the end of the interview.

Well, at least there hope in knowing that MKS is quite known for promoting his movies as one thing, so they suprise the viewers to be something totally different when you see them.

For example, Lady in the Water was promoted as a horror-flick, but it was really more of a fairy-tail drama. There's the well known "Twist" with Sixth-Sense. Oh, and the trailer for "The Village" made it appear to be a movie that was good, when in reality, it wasn't.

:)

[Cougar]

Oh no. I heard an interview today with Ira Flatow (Science Friday) and M. Night Shyamalan....

I'm glad I missed that one!

Obviously, the idea of a "Science Friday" radio show is tremendous... I'd like to see a science show every day of the week. I am, however, not tremendously happy with Ira Flatow's performance as MC. He cuts people off too much, he's always saying, "Uh-huh, uh-huh" as people explain their science. He seems to think the show is about him. Hello? It's the science, stupid. :doh: I can't complain too much, though. There are no alternatives....

[Swift]

I had a mental image of scores of people walking away from this movie with the idea that science really can't explain the HIDDEN TRUTH behind nature's patterns (you know, "irreducible complexity") and that science fails because it "can't explain gaps" or promoting the use of the word "theory" in science to be synonymous with "hunch."

Don't worry, it is already too late - I'd say a large percentage of the population already thinks that.

[Maksutov]

Remember, this is the same guy who brought us that "great science = great pictures" gem Signs (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286106/).

[Acolyte]

I'm glad I missed that one!

Obviously, the idea of a "Science Friday" radio show is tremendous... I'd like to see a science show every day of the week. I am, however, not tremendously happy with Ira Flatow's performance as MC. He cuts people off too much, he's always saying, "Uh-huh, uh-huh" as people explain their science. He seems to think the show is about him. Hello? It's the science, stupid. :doh: I can't complain too much, though. There are no alternatives....Well, you're probably not within range of the broadcasts, but you could check out Australia's ABC Radio's StarStuff (http://www.abc.net.au/newsradio/programs/STARSTUFF.htm)
Worth the download...

[geonuc]

...or promoting the use of the word "theory" in science to be synonymous with "hunch."


Mischaracterizing the word 'theory' chaps my hide about as much as anything these days.

Perhaps the science community should adopt a new term that the unwashed masses could better relate to, like 'Great Truth'. Just kidding, of course.

Welcome to BAUT, Elian.

[hhEb09'1]

Welcome to BAUT, Elian.Welcome, Elian.

Good to see you've grown up to be a level-headed individual

Oops (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli%C3%A1n_Gonz%C3%A1lez_affair), that's with another z, sorry