Royal Institute Christmas Lectures

Longair graduated from the same department of the same University that I did. I saw him (in person) patiently explain to somebody that looking at distant stars was the same as looking back in time. She didn't get it. Sometimes even the best communicators know when its time to give up.

(ps - Brian Cox of his day? Longair's still alive and working. And don't get me started on Prof Cox )

It's amazing they didn't ask you to present the Christmas lectures!

That's a bit below the belt Aveline.

Och it's not unexpected GSM. A person can be knowledgeable on politics, medicine, even the law ; but if you have a background in physical sciences, and have the temerity to talk about it? Intellectual snobbery of the highest degree. You need taking down a peg or two. Showing off, that's all it is.

I am in awe of scientists Alegrias. Along with maths, physics and chemistry were my worst subjects at school. My brain froze. Biology and all arts subjects, no problem. Perhaps I should have watched the lectures then but I don't like being lectured at the level of a schoolchild, even one with a better grip on the subject than I have, with all the whizz bangs!

Perhaps if you'd been more appropriately taught when you were at school you wouldn't have felt your brain freeze over? There are many ways to communicate scientific information to others.

Well there was a different teacher for each of those subjects, all very experienced, at a grammar school whose entire teaching staff seemed to have been recruited from Cambridge. Some of my peers were very good at these subjects so the problem must have been entirely mine. Just as well I made up for my dismal performance by doing well in other subjects and thankfully my son didn’t inherit the ‘maths/science brain freeze’, getting A* stars for everything.

It's a pity those teachers weren't more imaginative. My Maths teacher had been a prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp. She was not a happy woman. Never recovered really. She couldn't get her head round the 'new' maths so couldn't teach it. We had VG teachers for Biology and Physics and made it fun.

I’m sure it was me Aveline, I can’t blame the teachers. They were getting on a bit but nice and competent women. All spinsters, devoted to their careers! As other girls did well it was definitely me! Not to worry, I wasn’t destined to be a scientist but made a reasonable lawyer!

You must have had a brain predisposed to absorb legal training. My brain just absorbed anatomy, physiology and neurology. I hardly had to study much it just went straight in!
Learning post school is so much easier as you tend to be studying what interests you rather than the wide range school children just have to cover irrespective of inclination.

It certainly helps to study a subject of your own choosing! I think my brain is very resistant to subjects it has decided not to like!

Perhaps Aveline might be asked to deliver the Lectures next year given that she is so gifted in the biological sciences?

(not nice to be mocked, is it?)

As I've lectured all over the world (seriously) I'd be happy to. Not sure my subject would be the Royal Institution's number one choice though. Mock away.

That's nice for you dear.

You should try it dear.

Have done, lovey.

I'm glad. So you'll understand the need to fit the communicative methodology to the audience. Excellent. We must meet up sometime to discuss and exchange notes.

Nah, you wouldn't be interested.

Most of my audiences were world leaders in their fields anyway. Never needed to tear my shirt off.

Neither did I. Big fish in little ponds don't usually have to.

Clash of the Titans?

I'm happy with that. I'm a retired Titan now!

Me too. This Titan's just been to Tescos!

This wimpish bystander is just waiting for lunch to cook.