That is this week's question from the Seed mothership.
Born and raised in Canada, I have to say that there is one obvious choice: The Nature of Things. Almost every Canadian in my age group has a picture of David Suzuki seared onto some part of their neocortex. Now some folk try to diss Dr. Suzuki ... all I can say is to leave the guy alone. When it comes to popularizing science for the mass market, no one comes close.
P.S. Since I've moved to the US I've basically lived life without TV, and I can't say that I miss it.
More like this
I have a whole pile of science-y book reviews on two of my older blogs, here and here. Both of those blogs have now been largely superseded by or merged into this one.
I am back in Montreal for the weekend. Anyone who grows up in Canada is subjected to 3 things:
1- Hockey
2- Winter
3- CBC
And a great show that I used to watch as a kid on CBC was The Nature of Things hosted by David Suzuki.
Last week while I was home for U.S. Thanksgiving, I missed this event for Sounds Like Canada on CBC.
Last semester I was fortunate enough to be involved with a UBC project (called Terry) that looks at global issues from a multidisciplinary angle.
I think we watched some of these in school. But my heart belongs to Alan Alda of Scientific American Frontiers. I mean, did you see the stem cell show? I am totally in love with him.
PS- informal survey here: http://joolya.blogspot.com/2006/10/gnorgs-and-fnoobs.html
Oh, and Mister Wizard, which was on Nickelodeon back in the day. Remember that tin can that crumpled when he poured the cold water on it? Classic.
For Brits like me who were formed intellectually in the '70s there are two.
"The Ascent of Man" with Jacob Bronowski. The entire history and philosophy of scientific progress in eight one hour episodes.
"Life on Earth" with David Attenborough. The whole expanse of creation, with great pictures, underpinned by solid evolutionary genetics.
The first taught me that science creates the cultures around it. The second showed me that belief in a creator demonstrates a lack of imagination.
Cheers for David Suzuki! I'm not a Canadian (though I played one in Ontario for several years), but have very fond memories of that show.
Then again, if I'm going into Canadian shows I miss, next in line has to be "Prisoners of Gravity".