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Are science documentaries made for dummies?

 
 
 
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LordKiran

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In a single statement? Pff
Every so often, my bf and I will watch science documentaries on YouTube as we fall asleep. In doing so, we tend to see a lot of the same people covering the same subjects. In one such documentary, they explain the methods by which stars grow and shrink before eventually collapsing. This was accompanied with visual aids every step of the way. Immediately afterwards however, they cut to a science personality explaining the exact same phenomenon via visual metaphor involving a car and gasoline. It was then that I hit upon the question: am I watching something made for an idiot? Thinking back, I see a lot of the same tropes in other such documentaries on similar topics. So are these documentaries made so that even stupid people who aren't paying attention can get it? Are there much dryer documentaries that go far more in depth rather than wasting time explaining the same subject twice in succession?
 
LordKiran said:
Every so often, my bf and I will watch science documentaries on YouTube as we fall asleep. In doing so, we tend to see a lot of the same people covering the same subjects. In one such documentary, they explain the methods by which stars grow and shrink before eventually collapsing. This was accompanied with visual aids every step of the way. Immediately afterwards however, they cut to a science personality explaining the exact same phenomenon via visual metaphor involving a car and gasoline. It was then that I hit upon the question: am I watching something made for an idiot? Thinking back, I see a lot of the same tropes in other such documentaries on similar topics. So are these documentaries made so that even stupid people who aren't paying attention can get it? Are there much dryer documentaries that go far more in depth rather than wasting time explaining the same subject twice in succession?
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Considering that most people have, at most, a high-school science education and only casual interest beyond that, it should come as no surprise that documentaries are aimed at that audience. For drier material you're typically expected to read a book, website or journal.
 
I'm an instructor and i make computer based training as well as give lectures on various topics.
When you're presenting, you can often gauge the knowledge of the class, and see if they have a look of comprehension or of confusion, and adjust the topic accordingly. I can skip over redundant slides in my powerpoint if the point's been driven home and everyone's on the same page.

If i'm not going to be there to make such assessments, i have to make sure the presentation will be able to convey meaning to even the slowest missile technician, because we won't be able to say 'Okay, he's got is,' and we can't trust the MT to decide 'Okay, I've got it!' because every single one of them will say they do and hope they get lucky on the test.
 
I like PBS Space Time channel on youtube, but of course, having Maxwell equations and relativity explained with a monkey riding a skateboard on the back of a my little pony is a bit cringy. But what I try to think is, that for some kid out there this could be one of the first encounters of relativity, and their minds are blown. For an old fart like me it might seem a bit redundant, but there are often some details or angles I hadn't thought of. If I was really into science I'd be reading books and not killing time on youtube.
 
I hope so. The world is full of idiots and they could use some science.

I remember when the new Cosmos series first aired. I for one was quite excited at the information given and how easy it was to digest. Some posters here were doing the internet version of eye rolling because they considered the show to be beneath their understanding, "for dummies." I think their understanding failed to notice a bigger picture than that. If dumbed down is what engages the most people and reveals something new to them about how the world works, then so be it.
 
Watch these for really darn good lectures about the topics that a smart high school senior could get a 90+% understanding of while a grad level scientist not in astronomy would not be bored either.

This guy is the total package.





This lecturer also does a lot of parts in astronomy for dummies level docs. He is still pretty good in them.
 
I think this Prof has also been on TV, but this lecture about Brown Dwarfs is a touch drier and unfortunately only at 240p resolution

 
There's no dough in the astute.

The scientifically literate aren't going to watch TV to increase their knowledge. Neither are the self satisfied ass holes that hold court on the internet.

Marketing serves the "Dummy" demographic.
 
hmm, also when Cosmos and "The Day the Universe Changed" and Connections were just about the only game in town they were very smart and entertaining.

So much choice now.

If The History Channel and similar stations tried to retool to be better they might lose viewers.
 
It's educational material put out to the general public. At what age should they target the material to garner the largest audience? It's been awhile but I believe that age is 14. The information is also conveyed to appeal to as many different learning styles as possible with the format. Be careful not to conflate cognitive ability and cognitive style. How a person processes information should be considered separately from aptitude.
 
CuriosityStream is good for a few bucks a month. They have a free trial.

The Great Courses is pretty in depth, although it's too much money for me at the moment.

Instead of searching documentaries, search for free course material that interests you. These aren't usually accredited, but they can provide much deeper understanding. There's some outstanding Universities that have free stuff out there. Including MIT. Khan academy is good and free. CSU has an entire undergrad course in Astronomy free on YouTube. (Love this one)
 
The information density of video is incredibly low. A TV show that takes an hour to watch typically covers material that would take about five minutes to read.

If you are looking for a way to pass some time, video/TV is ideal. If you want to learn something, books, journals, and papers are a far more efficient choice.
 
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