Discover
/
Article

TV could use real-world physics

SEP 01, 2008

DOI: 10.1063/1.2982104

Charles F. Gallo

I agree with James Jackson’s letter ( Physics Today, November 2007, page 14 ), “Advocating Real-World Physics Classes.” I will take the discussion further and include physics TV programs, such as some shown on NOVA and the Science Channel, that are even less relevant than physics classes.

Those TV shows emphasize irrelevant, unobservable, impractical, and inaccessible subjects such as mysterious dark matter, dark energy, black holes, parallel universes, and string theory—all subjects that have no relevance to the daily lives of ordinary people. Most of the programs turn people away from physics rather than draw them in.

It would be far more beneficial if the preponderance of the physics TV programs described phenomena people readily observe, and described them in a manner that viewers can actually understand. Such treatment would help establish physics as a useful, practical, interesting, and worthy subject.

More about the Authors

Charles F. Gallo. (chuckgallo@comcast.net) Superconix Inc, Lake Elmo, Minnesota, US .

This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_2008_09.jpeg

Volume 61, Number 9

Related content
/
Article
/
Article
/
Article
/
Article
/
Article
/
Article

Get PT in your inbox

Physics Today - The Week in Physics

The Week in Physics" is likely a reference to the regular updates or summaries of new physics research, such as those found in publications like Physics Today from AIP Publishing or on news aggregators like Phys.org.

Physics Today - Table of Contents
Physics Today - Whitepapers & Webinars
By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.