Particle physicist Brian Cox has angered many by mocking people who believe in ghosts and the afterlife. He did so on Twitter after learning that the BBC had received complaints that Infinite Monkey Cage, the Radio 4 show he hosts with comedian Robin Ince, was unbalanced in an episode dealing with the paranormal.
Prof Cox – a former keyboard player in 1990s pop groups before focusing on cosmology and becoming a star presenter on television (a sort of supernova) – responded to the criticism by Tweeting:
"Just heard we got complaints about lack of BBC balance about ghosts – there are some utter nobbers out there! Here is my official statement, which also has the benefit of being fact. There are no ghosts, so it would be silly to believe in them."
Which, of course, demonstrates that Cox is himself an even bigger nobber than the people who have upset him. The term nobber, for those unfamiliar with slang, means
extremely stupid.
He should stick to what he knows and not take the piss out of things he doesn't understand.
Isn't the idea of these types of programmes to inform and educate? How about they explained what it meant instead of spending the budget in high def special effects.
I've read a lot about them and also been told by relatives about paranormal experiences they've had. I think there's a lot of things out there which science doesn't understand yet, and Cox's comments are just plain ignorant. He might know a lot about Space and the stars, but he shouldn't go making uninformed comments like that. I mean, 'nobbers'? It's bloody childish!
Isn't the idea of these types of programmes to inform and educate? How about they explained what it meant instead of spending the budget in high def special effects.
I think OP was referring to when he was on QI rather than a serious programme
I've read a lot about them and also been told by relatives about paranormal experiences they've had. I think there's a lot of things out there which science doesn't understand yet, and Cox's comments are just plain ignorant. He might know a lot about Space and the stars, but he shouldn't go making uninformed comments like that. I mean, 'nobbers'? It's bloody childish!
I have had some odd ghost like experiences and heard stories from people who I know are not making it up. Logic tells me there are no such things as ghosts so these experiences must be bought on by the power of suggestion
I was watching a program on iPlayer this week called 'Beyond The Speed of Light' which was presented by a Mathmatician. It was brilliant. just stuck to the science and facts and treated the audience with some intelligence. Unlike the stupid Brian Cox programmes - 'look at me, I'm windswept and interesting' while not really explaining much of anything at all. Much prefer the 'serious' academic who commands respect and does not play pretty boy. Don't get me wrong, of course Brian Cox is a serious academic but he does get on my nerves and I can't stand the lack of substance in his programmes. Would much rather have the science than pretty graphics. I know, his programs are aimed at a 'non science' audience.
Brian Cox is a very good communicator. Yes "Wonders of the Universe" was dumbed down but not everything he does is - it depends on his particular target audience. I would refer you to his excellent book "Why does e=mc2" (co-written by Jeff Forshaw) as an example of his work that is not dumbed down.
I was watching a program on iPlayer this week called 'Beyond The Speed of Light' which was presented by a Mathmatician. It was brilliant. just stuck to the science and facts and treated the audience with some intelligence. Unlike the stupid Brian Cox programmes - 'look at me, I'm windswept and interesting' while not really explaining much of anything at all. Much prefer the 'serious' academic who commands respect and does not play pretty boy. Don't get me wrong, of course Brian Cox is a serious academic but he does get on my nerves and I can't stand the lack of substance in his programmes. Would much rather have the science than pretty graphics. I know, his programs are aimed at a 'non science' audience.
I would agree with this although I don't mind the way he explains things I get a little tired of seeing him in various locations looking all windswept and staring to the distance.. Also agree that it is a programme for the mainstream and that is a good thing..
His over-enthusiasm grates me a bit. Nothing wrong with being enthusiastic of course, but in his programmes he seems to go on about how beautiful it is and wanks over the vastness of the universe a bit too much, rather than actually going into detail about the actual science itself. Basically, he romanticises science too much for my tastes.
There's a lot of waffle and I get bored quite quickly when I'm watching his shows. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want a presenter who's just doing a boring university-style lecture, but he just doesn't strike the balance for me really.
I saw a sister programme for Wonders of The Universe on BBC Four and it was much more interesting and went in to much more detail.
Comments
Nobbers:D
I didn't know he had said that. He has gone way up in my estimation.
He should use scientific notation then.
Can't stand him and his muppet faced grin.
He could have said 10^12
I take it you believe in ghosts. Why?
But would that be term universally understood
Isn't the idea of these types of programmes to inform and educate? How about they explained what it meant instead of spending the budget in high def special effects.
I've read a lot about them and also been told by relatives about paranormal experiences they've had. I think there's a lot of things out there which science doesn't understand yet, and Cox's comments are just plain ignorant. He might know a lot about Space and the stars, but he shouldn't go making uninformed comments like that. I mean, 'nobbers'? It's bloody childish!
I think OP was referring to when he was on QI rather than a serious programme
I have had some odd ghost like experiences and heard stories from people who I know are not making it up. Logic tells me there are no such things as ghosts so these experiences must be bought on by the power of suggestion
Brian Cox is a very good communicator. Yes "Wonders of the Universe" was dumbed down but not everything he does is - it depends on his particular target audience. I would refer you to his excellent book "Why does e=mc2" (co-written by Jeff Forshaw) as an example of his work that is not dumbed down.
I thought the modern way of thinking was that it did not?
Or is that the point he makes?
Books and anecdotes, then.
On balance not really the ... how can I put this ... strongest case in the world, is it?
Nothing pulls in the ratings like a bit of scientific notation.
I wish they had put David Mitchell across from him to wipe the floor with him!
I would agree with this although I don't mind the way he explains things I get a little tired of seeing him in various locations looking all windswept and staring to the distance.. Also agree that it is a programme for the mainstream and that is a good thing..
Oh cripes! Yes! Dicky Mint.
There's a lot of waffle and I get bored quite quickly when I'm watching his shows. Nevertheless, I wouldn't want a presenter who's just doing a boring university-style lecture, but he just doesn't strike the balance for me really.
I saw a sister programme for Wonders of The Universe on BBC Four and it was much more interesting and went in to much more detail.
and i wish he would stop dressing in his old clothes from high school
get a haircut and go find a job for goodness sake:rolleyes:
also that offensive grin he uses when discussing religion makes me want to attack him
judgemental bastard!!