Brian Cox: It's not acceptable to promote bad science

Jingle, darling, have you listened to the speech in that link? You can even listen without looking and then your finer sensibilities won't be offended, but your mind might be entertained.

When someone is interesting and explains something you want to know about in a clear understandable way, I think you tend not to notice their appearance. It's when they are not clear or have irritating mannerisms that you start losing attention and commenting on the size of their nose or their appalling taste in shirts. (That last sentence has no relevance to Professor Cox.)

Ah, now that's where Mary Beard was criticised wasn't she? Good question - is a person's appearance relevant to their capacity as a commmunicator in a medium such as TV?

gracesmum Ugliness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Either way, it is isn't relevant to his capacity as a physicist and communicator.

He'snot ugly!!! I think he's cute but is he old enough to be out without his mum ?

JO4 Just because he's ugly and has a silly haircut, doesn't mean that he isn't an adult scientist with a considerable reputation.

He looks like one of the Monkees.

You sure he's grown-up.

Thank you GNHQ!

Great - found lots of his lectures! Don't out me if I use some of his ideas in future threads!

YES! Geraldine - we really should have a Science forum, please

Thanks, Bags, I will do that.

Brilliant Bags. I've heard Brian Cox talk on this subject before and yesterday I listened to a discussion on Radio 4 between a doctor and the editor of Top Sante, who claims her magazine reports scientific findings accurately and responsibly. The doctor chronicled all the silly reports and daft headlines she had let through, such as 'lie in the sun and get rid of diabetes' and a story about someone who had a bizarre eating regime, including drinking diluted bleach, which got rid of her cancer. The editor defended the magazine, saying the diabetes story was from America (so were several others they discussed) and written by her, and the bleach story was the woman's own account, so it wasn't scientific. She didn't seem to understand the need for reporting responsibly, or putting in an overview from a doctor's or scientist's standpoint.

there!......managed to give an example of crap reporting without mentioning the Daily Mail!

Check out the Institute of Physics, G. I'll have a look too.

DH and I listened to it together and chuckled a lot. DH said: "I love the idea of faith-based aviation!"

Thanks, Bags, he always talks so much sense. I am glad he is on 'our' side - he is lovely! I find it a bit hard to follow on my computer as the sound is not great - I wonder if I can find a printed version anywhere?