Re: kVA Effects on Discovery Channel

["Tesla list" <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>]

Original poster: Mddeming-at-aol-dot-com 

In a message dated 1/9/04 10:26:35 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
tesla-at-pupman-dot-com writes:
Original poster: Mike Poulton <mpoulton-at-mtptech-dot-com>

Interesting. Kudos to the kVA Effects guys, but shame on Discovery
Channel. The entire program was full of poorly throught-out
pseudo-science and sensationalism. Clearly, their writers have no
technical background and don't consult with real scientists or
engineers before planning or executing any of their hare-brained
stunts. The terms charge, current, voltage, force, pressure, and
energy were used incorrectly with far greater frequency than they were
used correctly! To the general public, this may be nit-picking
(apparently it is to their producers as well) -- but this is the
Discovery Channel! It's supposed to be technical and scientific in
nature!

Hi Mike,
     Prior complaints have brought the response that their basic business 
is entertainment. Therefore whatever maximizes audience size is what is 
desirable ($$$) One should not confuse the "sciency motif" of the 
entertainment with any real science education.
     For more examples of how and why the Media promote such foolishness, I 
would recommend getting a copy of "Voodoo Science" by Robert Parks, Oxford 
Press, 2000 (ISBN 0-19-513515-8).

Matt D.