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It's enough to make you sick
by loiswakeman @ 03/01/2008 - 19:05:09

norovirus simulationOn the BBC lunchtime news, there was a piece about the current norovirus outbreak. The presenter blithely pointed to this garish CGI graphic of a red, blue and yellow lumpy ball and said, with a completely straight face "This is what the virus looks like under a microscope".

Does she actually think that a virus really looks like this - or understand that you'd need an electron microscope to see such detail? If so, she is strangely ignorant for a health correspondent; if not, she is patronising those of us who are not complete dunces, and misleading those who might benefit from knowing more.

In either case, it is rather pathetic - but entirely to be expected in these days of dumbing down, especially for "difficult" topics like microbiology.

Read the full story here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7169347.stm

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Tags: bbc, news, norovirus, science, tv,

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menhirmenhir [Member]
03/01/08 @ 21:47

Fortunately, Lois, I listened to the radio on this feature so did not have to gasp at the crap you saw dished out to the 'adoring, daft public' that the BBC TV broadcasts to.

Sad to say, the media is run by a shower of arts graduates who have no idea about anything scientific. It's sad, because I am an arts graduate and we should not be so gullible. The education system let down generations of adults with poor or no scientific education of any level and this is significant evidence of that fact.

Hubby is a scientist and he can advise me on many issues that I query; at least I query.

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loiswakemanloiswakeman [Member]
http://lois.co.uk
04/01/08 @ 12:09

A shower is about the right word! Like the one out of the back of a muckspreader ;)

You are in the fortunate position of having the right mindset to ask and realise what you don't know. But I worry that so many people don't know, don't care, and are more concerned about who will win Big Brother (or which celebrity is shagging which nonentity) than their own lack of knowledge.

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menhirmenhir [Member]
04/01/08 @ 14:03

I love you muckspreader metaphor. Seeing them regularly at work, as I do, and you probably do, it really fits the subject under discussion.

Realising what I don't know; yes you make a truly valid point. I freely admit I have major gaps in my basic education, some of which I have tried to address, others may never be. It can be dispiriting sometimes to realise personal inadequacies some of which, cannot be resolved. On the other hand, I also know I have talents and they can offer great compensation.

I am often accused of asking too many questions, wanting to probe too much. Fortunately, even if hubby does get irritated by my probing, he can usually give me an answer I can accept, or understand, if not, he will find one just to satisfy himself. Understanding, is not always the end point though, as you will know.

However, all that said, it is good that there are people like you who can highlight the stupidity we have thrown at us. What will it take for the media to stop navel gazing and do a bit more intelligent work.

Happy New Year Lois!

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MrFlightyMrFlighty [Member]
04/01/08 @ 09:05

Showing that seems a bit pointless. Just the bare facts and some practical advice would surely suffice as a news item.

ranfuchsranfuchs pro
04/01/08 @ 15:05

ignorance is what we are trying to promote, and having non-ignorant correspondence makes it harder to achieve our goal

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loiswakemanloiswakeman [Member]
http://lois.co.uk
04/01/08 @ 15:22

Who's 'we'? You and a sinister shadowy organisation, the Beeb, journos in general, Them, or ???

:)

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ranfuchsranfuchs pro
04/01/08 @ 15:59

'we' is not organisation. It's our culture, dictated by commercial forces and government apathy

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loiswakemanloiswakeman [Member]
http://lois.co.uk
04/01/08 @ 16:09

Phew - that's a relief. I thought they were after me...

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ranfuchsranfuchs pro
04/01/08 @ 16:16

Of course they are. But it's nothing personal. THEY are after all of us.

Just look around you. What do you know about your neighbour? about the person sitting next office? Have you heard of these miniature cameras they hide in every toilet? and those satellites watching you?

THEY also bombed out busses and crashed the twin towers. THEY are running our government, and in charge of these horrible pickles you get free at McDonalds. Never rest, never relax, they are there waiting for a moment of weakness. Never send your kids to their schools. Trust nobody but us. Donation in big denomination are welcome.

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sheilamoistsheilamoist [Member]
08/01/08 @ 13:23

I am SO glad to know that I am not the only one who sputters with rage at the insulting way the media talk down to us. If it's some brainless quiz show on Freeview Channel 2314 (or whatever), I expect it, and I don't go there. But when we are treated as know-nothings by providers like the BBC, I go puce! I feel like screaming at them: "It's ok, it's ok! I can handle polysyllables! I can ask intelligent uninformed questions! I have a BRAIN!"
Damn, I can get grouchy sometimes! LOL
Love
Sheila xxx

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loiswakemanloiswakeman [Member]
http://lois.co.uk
08/01/08 @ 14:18

You and me both, kid!

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