Popular Culture – Page 19 – Southern Fried Science

Does fast-forwarding through commercials hurt advertisers?

May 22, 2010 David Shiffman 12 Comments

A few weeks ago, my co-bloggers were doubtful that it is possible to watch 36 hours of television in a week. The main factor that makes television viewing on this scale possible for me is the DVR, which allows

me to tape two shows simultaneously. It also allows me to easily fast-forward through commercials, and because of the DVR, the only commercials I see anymore are when I’m watching live sports. While the ability to easily record a show and watch it later (and fast forward through commercials as you watch it later) has improved the quality of life for my roommates and me, I’ve often wondered how it affects advertisers. After all, it’s their money that pays for my favorite shows.

Last year’s Shark Week coverage

May 21, 2010 David Shiffman 2 Comments

Popular Culture, Science

The online shark science community has been critical of the Discovery Channel’s “Shark Week” in the past because some of the documentaries promote fear of sharks at a time when we should be promoting respect and conservation. According to the Dorsal Fin blog, this year is looking like it will bring us more of the same, though one particular story won’t be covered because it happened so recently. Since Shark Week is starting to be discussed again by the blogosphere, I am re-posting all of last year’s Shark Week coverage. This includes an interview with the Discovery Channel’s Senior Science Editor (originally here), a detailed evaluation of each of the Shark Week specials (originally here), and ten suggestions for how to improve future Shark Week programming (originally here). All of the original comments are preserved at the old site.

New Nicorette commercial perpetuates anti-shark stereotypes

May 14, 2010June 21, 2010 David Shiffman 32 Comments

Popular Culture, Science

A new commercial for Nicorette gum has been on the air for the last few weeks.

Scarier than sharks – You Can’t Trust a Killer Whale

May 14, 2010 Andrew Thaler 4 Comments

Popular Culture

Hat tip to Miriam from Deep Sea News for this amazing moment in my life. ~Southern Fried Scientist

Douglas Adams on Evolution, Endangered Species, Conservation, and writing Last Chance to See

May 2, 2010May 2, 2010 Andrew Thaler 2 Comments

Conservation, Popular Culture, Science

The brilliantly funny Douglas Adams shares the adventures he had while writing Last Chance to See. Since he gave this talk, the Yangtze River Dolphin has been declared extinct and only 123 Kakapo remain. Komodo dragons are now listed as vulnerable, and although their population appears quite large, it was recently discovered that Komodo dragons … Read More “Douglas Adams on Evolution, Endangered Species, Conservation, and writing Last Chance to See” »

What the hell happened to the environmental movement?

April 22, 2010April 21, 2010 Andrew Thaler

Conservation, Popular Culture, Science

This post was originally published on Earth Day, 2009. The responses I received from it were tremendous, both positive and negative. Were I to write it again today, I would include a discussion of Carbon Offsets and Eco-Guilt.

There is a real challenge in the environmental movement. On one hand, the science is on our side, but on the other hand, there is a growing group within the movement committed to dogma and willing to sacrifice facts for pseudoscience. So, this Earth day, we once again bring you “What the hell happened to the environmental movement?”

Forty-seven years ago, a brilliant, passionate scientist who understood the power of public outreach, noticed a decline in songbird populations, discovered a trend of decreasing egg shell thickness, and correlated this effect with the increase in the use of DDT as a pesticide. After thoroughly and rigorously verifying her results and conclusions, she did something revolutionary; she wrote a book. The publication of Silent Spring in 1962 marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement in America. Its simple, elegant prose made the complex interaction between humankind and the environment accessible to a public that had limited exposure to scientific writing. Like other works of literary science, Silent Spring, wove the scientific method into a narrative; observations, questions, conflicts, discoveries, joy and sorrow. To struggle and to understand, never the last without the first. The beauty of her words still echo with that same power today.

Michael Specter takes on Pseudoscience

April 14, 2010April 14, 2010 Andrew Thaler 1 Comment

Popular Culture, Science

Michael Specter gives a talk at TED2010. ~Southern Fried Science

The Cove, Dolphins, and Mercury

March 15, 2010October 20, 2011 Bluegrass Blue Crab 6 Comments

Popular Culture, Science

The Cove has recently collected a long list of awards including most notably an Oscar for best documentary. These well-deserved accolades reward the filmmakers for risky and groundbreaking filming in a highly protected cove in Japan where a dolphin fishery thrives, both to feed the aquarium trade and citizens wishing to enjoy a dolphin dinner. However, I caution viewers, as with most works of art that rely heavily on scientific information, that you should use the movie as inspiration but turn to the scientific literature for accurate information, especially in terms of mercury concerns within the dolphins. Mercury poisoning is scary, but it is only one amongst a long and growing list of toxicological concern. Its effects are relatively well-understood and known to be primarily of concern for pregnant women and small children.

Audi’s Green Police Ad

February 8, 2010April 21, 2010 David Shiffman 1 Comment

Popular Culture

Even though my Steelers weren’t in it this year, I watched the Super Bowl last night. I suppose that we have to let other teams win occasionally. I was disappointed by the ads this year overall (though the milkaholic E-trade baby and the Dorito’s ninja were awesome), but one in particular caught my attention. Is … Read More “Audi’s Green Police Ad” »

OMG! GR8 Whites approaching!

January 19, 2010April 21, 2010 David Shiffman

Popular Culture

Swim At Your Own Risk recently ran a story about a new way that Australia is protecting their swimmers from shark attacks. Large sharks are fitted with satellite tags, and when these sharks get close to a beach, it sends a text message to lifeguards patrolling that beach. While I’m thrilled to see a solution that doesn’t involve killing sharks with gill nets, here are five reasons why this is a terrible idea.