What little television I used to watch was primarily devoted to science and nature, with a bit of news and sports on the side. Unfortunately, what remains of that genre is now filled with human melodrama and a mix of reality shows focused on dysfunctional people. If you hope to get a forecast from the Weather Channel, expect to wade through a chorus of zany meteorologists, lifestyle advice experts, tornado chasers, and an ever-expanding collection of programs on characters such as turbine cowboys, bombastic ice pilots and, starting this week, macho iron workers.
The Discovery and History Channels are no better, offering a steady diet of shows on gator hunters, daredevil loggers, bleary-eyed truckers, death-defying crabbers and, just this year, full-metal jousters. Even the storied Nature program on PBS has shifted toward a more humanistic view of the natural world, seemingly in response to the public's drift from true science to emotionally satisfying entertainment. Fortunately, programs such as Frontline and NOVA continue to offer informative and fascinating presentations.
The dearth of good science programming on television is likely a concious effort of media moguls to compete with the varied enticements of the Internet. Grabbing viewers with serious, thoughtful content has, sadly, been largely abandoned. Promising an inside look at the lives of New Jersey Housewives has become their mode of operation and the future of educational television looks bleak indeed.
Tampilkan postingan dengan label education. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label education. Tampilkan semua postingan
Jumat, 04 Mei 2012
Kamis, 28 Juli 2011
The Nature of Education
During this era of budget cuts, rising tuition and widespread unemployment, there is increasing discussion regarding the necessity of a college education. Despite the fact that one's eventual income and financial security is directly tied to his or her education level, opting for a trade school is a reasonable choice for many individuals and may lead to a lucrative and fulfilling career. But, unless these individuals make the effort to broaden their personal education, this choice comes with a price, both for the individual and for human society.
A college education encourages us to open our minds to other disciplines, other cultures and, most importantly, other points of view. Indeed, it is common for college students to change their major in the course of their studies, often in response to a field of study with which they had no previous experience. Even if the student sticks with their initial major, a choice made at the ripe old age of 18, he or she is exposed to a variety of academic disciplines, including art, literature, history and science. Such a broad education offers a more complete perspective on human nature and on our relationship to the Universe in which we live.
We humans learn from the latter stages of fetal life until the moment of our death. The extent of our knowledge is directly related to the diversity of our experience and those who seek educational opportunities via school, reading, travel, cultural programs, volunteer work, mentorship, parenting, exploration and a variety of work experience will make the most of their lives. In turn, human society benefits from their knowledge and becomes less susceptible to the forces of zealotry, discrimination, intolerance and mysticism.
A college education encourages us to open our minds to other disciplines, other cultures and, most importantly, other points of view. Indeed, it is common for college students to change their major in the course of their studies, often in response to a field of study with which they had no previous experience. Even if the student sticks with their initial major, a choice made at the ripe old age of 18, he or she is exposed to a variety of academic disciplines, including art, literature, history and science. Such a broad education offers a more complete perspective on human nature and on our relationship to the Universe in which we live.
We humans learn from the latter stages of fetal life until the moment of our death. The extent of our knowledge is directly related to the diversity of our experience and those who seek educational opportunities via school, reading, travel, cultural programs, volunteer work, mentorship, parenting, exploration and a variety of work experience will make the most of their lives. In turn, human society benefits from their knowledge and becomes less susceptible to the forces of zealotry, discrimination, intolerance and mysticism.
Kamis, 24 Maret 2011
Vulture Traffic
The turkey vultures of Columbia, Missouri, have established a large colonial roost near the south edge of the MU campus. From our back deck, a mile northwest of the roost, I often see these graceful birds heading east during the hour before sunset, as they return to that site.
Like commercial jets on final approach, the vultures seem to follow a rather strict flight path and those arriving from the north or south merge into the same inbound lane. Since this scenario is not observed every evening, I must assume that their route of descent, like plane traffic, is determined by the wind direction. Though I have no direct evidence, I suspect that, given their highly developed sense of smell, the vultures are guided by the odor of their roost, carried on the wind; if that is the case, then they, like aircraft, land into the wind, an approach that yields more control from an aerodynamic point of view.
While the above musings may be off target, it is by simple observation that scientific theories are spawned; if found to be valid through more rigorous testing, our understanding of the natural world is advanced. At the very least, attention to the habits and behavior of our wild neighbors is an enjoyable and educational exercise.
Like commercial jets on final approach, the vultures seem to follow a rather strict flight path and those arriving from the north or south merge into the same inbound lane. Since this scenario is not observed every evening, I must assume that their route of descent, like plane traffic, is determined by the wind direction. Though I have no direct evidence, I suspect that, given their highly developed sense of smell, the vultures are guided by the odor of their roost, carried on the wind; if that is the case, then they, like aircraft, land into the wind, an approach that yields more control from an aerodynamic point of view.
While the above musings may be off target, it is by simple observation that scientific theories are spawned; if found to be valid through more rigorous testing, our understanding of the natural world is advanced. At the very least, attention to the habits and behavior of our wild neighbors is an enjoyable and educational exercise.
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