Ian Bunn | Political & Popular Culture Arts

Only one explanation: the Brian Cox effect (January 13th)

Brian Edward Cox the 43 year old UK particle physicist and best known to the public as the presenter of science programs for the UK broadcaster BBC, has been credited in an article by Steve Connor with exhibiting a ‘Brian Cox effect’. Connor states “It was the year we saw an unprecedented turnaround in the popularity of science – especially the harder physical sciences – among A-level students. Exam boards marveled at the increase in the number of teenagers who want to study the notoriously difficult subjects of physics and maths. There could be only one explanation: the Brian Cox effect. With his floppy hair, youthful smile and telegenic good looks, Professor Brian Cox is living proof that you don’t need to be bald with bad teeth to be a boffin. His [2nd tv series] … drew in a young audience, demonstrating that the traditionally nerdy subject of physics is actually quite cool.

Inspired by Steve Connor http://ow.ly/8lKRy image source Bob Lee http://ow.ly/8lKXv

Out of touch with the realities of the natural world (December 28th)

David Frederick Attenborough the 85 year old UK broadcaster and naturalist renowned as the face and voice of natural history programs on the BBC claims the future of our planet is at risk from the rapid urbanization of the past half century. In an article published by the Guardian, Attenborough states “We have a huge moral responsibility towards the rest of the planet. A hundred years ago people certainly had that … They were aware of the seasons and aware of what they were doing to the land and animals around them … So over 50% [living in towns and cities] is to some degree out of touch with the natural world and don’t even see an animal from one day to the next unless it’s a rat or a pigeon … That means that people are getting out of touch with the realities of the natural world, of which we are in fact a part”.

Inspired by Guardian http://ow.ly/89WW4 image source davidattenborough http://ow.ly/89X1O

Saif al-Islam Muammar al-Gaddafi the 38 year old second son of the Libyan dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi, has made a speech on Libyan state TV blaming the political turmoil in Libya on drunken and drugged tribal factions and Islamist extremists acting on their own agendas. al-Gaddafi warned of civil war causing no trade, no oil money, and a country taken over by foreigners. He blamed the foment unrest and violence in Libya on  Arab and African expatriates, vowing to fight until the last man standing. While promising reforms he vowed he would not allow Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya or the BBC to trick the population with their aim at installing Islamist rule. al-Gaddafi in his finger-wagging speech blamed the foreign media for inflating the death toll.

Inspired by Amir Ahmed, Yousuf Basil, Greg Botelho, Salma Abdelaziz, Holly Yan and Mitra Mobasherat ow.ly/43gHq image source Wikipedia ow.ly/43guq