Brian Cox- Shall We Invite Him Here For Online Chat?

Suzy · #1 25-03-2011, 10:47 AM

I have a proposition for Mike and the moderators and would like to ask what everyone’s thoughts are as well….

As Professor Brian Cox is such a hot topic of conversation at the moment across a few threads, I think it would be fabulous (and timely!) to get him on this forum for an on line chat on a pre-arranged date. I realise of course that some of his views on his latest show, "Wonders of the Solar System" has led to some interesting debates here on the forum, so he may be hit with some negativity as well - but it will make for an interesting discussion I think. And he must be used to having to deal with that anyway.

So... What do you’ll think?

Now Mike, I see in the past you have interviewed Steve Squires (fabulous interview at that), http://www.iceinspace.com.au/84-352-0-0-1-0.html – so perhaps you have some connections to Brian as well (or a how to)? Or maybe Les D or Greg Bryant from AS&T may have some ideas. Or does anyone have any ideas on how to contact him – that’s if you’ll are happy to go ahead and have him here of course.

I had thought about putting a message on his facebook wall, but as he gets such a large number of posts per day on his wall, I just feel it will get neglected.

P.S. I'm after his brains on this interview, not his looks, so I will behave and not go goo goo. I'm sure Liz, Shelley, Nettie & Molly will behave too.

astroron (Ron) · #2 25-03-2011, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suzy

I have a proposition for Mike and the moderators and would like to ask what everyone’s thoughts are as well….

As Professor Brian Cox is such a hot topic of conversation at the moment across a few threads, I think it would be fabulous (and timely!) to get him on this forum for an on line chat on a pre-arranged date. I realise of course that some of his views on his latest show, "Wonders of the Solar System" has led to some interesting debates here on the forum, so he may be hit with some negativity as well - but it will make for an interesting discussion I think. And he must be used to having to deal with that anyway.

So... What do you’ll think?

Now Mike, I see in the past you have interviewed Steve Squires (fabulous interview at that), http://www.iceinspace.com.au/84-352-0-0-1-0.html – so perhaps you have some connections to Brian as well (or a how to)? Or maybe Les D or Greg Bryant from AS&T may have some ideas. Or does anyone have any ideas on how to contact him – that’s if you’ll are happy to go ahead and have him here of course.

I had thought about putting a message on his facebook wall, but as he gets such a large number of posts per day on his wall, I just feel it will get neglected.

P.S. I'm after his brains on this interview, not his looks, so I will behave and not go goo goo. I'm sure Liz, Shelley, Nettie & Molly will behave too.

Suzy ,I think that is a good idea if it can be made to work

Carl,Steven and Craig and of course myself plus yourself and most of the female members would be happy to join in a forum with him

Best of luck in your endeavor.

Cheers

iceman (Mike) · #3 25-03-2011, 11:08 AM

Great idea Suzy - let me see what I can arrange.

CraigS · #4 25-03-2011, 11:11 AM

What sort of questions would you ask him, Suzy .. and Mike ?

Specifically, what are the exact questions you'd ask him?
… Typically, these guys would like to understand what they're in for.

I would, if it was me.

(It may ultimately only be the questions that gets him interested in us).

Great idea .. give it a shot, I say !

Cheers

Octane (Humayun) · #5 25-03-2011, 11:12 AM

Someone get Amy Mainzer in here.

H

sjastro · #6 25-03-2011, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Octane

Someone get Amy Mainzer in here.

H

Hear, Hear (or is that Here, Here?)

Regards

Steven

Osirisra (Ken) · #7 25-03-2011, 07:02 PM

Wonders of the Solar System(last Year) is the old series, his latest one is Wonders of the Universe which is currently running.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #8 25-03-2011, 08:17 PM

It would be interesting to know if Suzy would be asking the same request if Brian Cox was a 60 year old balding, cross-eyed Geek with a hooked nose and no personality.

There are hundreds of Astrophysicists with even better Resume's.

Why this one in particular?

AdrianF (Adrian) · #9 25-03-2011, 08:33 PM

Why not invite him to the Qld AstroFest as a guest speaker?
Might have to invite QAS as well.

Adrian

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #10 25-03-2011, 08:49 PM

maybe the interview can be conducted like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nptD...eature=related

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #11 25-03-2011, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mswhin63

maybe the interview can be conducted like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nptD...eature=related

classic!

Jules76 (Julian) · #12 25-03-2011, 10:48 PM

I feel like I've been living under a rock but I can honestly say that up until I read a thread about him yesterday, I had never heard of Brian Cox. Of course in saying that it means I haven't seen anything really of him apart from a few videos recently, but I can't really see what the fuss is.

I'd rather hear from someone like Lawrence Krauss than some guy who looks like he stepped straight out of the band Oasis.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #13 25-03-2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jules76

I feel like I've been living under a rock but I can honestly say that up until I read a thread about him yesterday, I had never heard of Brian Cox. Of course in saying that it means I haven't seen anything really of him apart from a few videos recently, but I can't really see what the fuss is.

I'd rather hear from someone like Lawrence Krauss than some guy who looks like he stepped straight out of the band Oasis.

Well said!

I've known about him for almost a whole week now. Since I watched 'Solar System' on SBS the other night (by accident). I was channel surfing and I saw the opening title and though 'this looks cool'

How about Brian May. Ex Queen member and Astrophysicist

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #14 26-03-2011, 12:12 AM

I have to agree as well, Brian Cox is a good presenter. Unfortunately his mannerisms to leave himself open to a lot of ridicule. I have seen so many spoofs on him on youTube.

I think it is to the advantage that young people do get to take advantage of this type presentation to help continue science discoveries. It is fairly well-known that most young people today don't have much of an aptitude for science so it needs something to make that change.

astroron (Ron) · #15 26-03-2011, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

It would be interesting to know if Suzy would be asking the same request if Brian Cox was a 60 year old balding, cross-eyed Geek with a hooked nose and no personality.

There are hundreds of Astrophysicists with even better Resume's.

Why this one in particular?

[QUOTE=ballaratdragons;702783]It would be interesting to know if Suzy would be asking the same request if Brian Cox was a 60 year old balding, cross-eyed Geek with a hooked nose and no personality.

Ken, Nobody would want the person you describe never mind Suzy, it wasn't till Carl Sagen came along that science became cool to the public.
Brian Cox is only following in his footsteps.
Hundreds of Astrophysicists are not employed by media companies to sell their products and probably couldn't do it as well as Brian Cox anyway
Astronomy and Science need the likes of Brian Cox to keep the public informed
That the post was couched in fun terms, was none the less was a serious attempt at getting a well known and fun person to come and join us on iceinspace .
I think Suzy's Request to mike is a good one with plenty of merit and would be a great Coup for iceinspace

And I for one hope it comes to fruition

Cheers

Jen · #16 26-03-2011, 01:07 AM

lol Suzy i noticed you didnt mention that i would behave

Suzy · #17 26-03-2011, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

It would be interesting to know if Suzy would be asking the same request if Brian Cox was a 60 year old balding, cross-eyed Geek with a hooked nose and no personality.

There are hundreds of Astrophysicists with even better Resume's.

Why this one in particular?

1) We have been following the whole series and reviewing each episode in the astronomy books & media forum. Yes, there is a lot of fun banter, but if you read the thread in it's entirety you will see many intelligent responses regarding the science content of the show.

2) If he was a 60 year old balding, cross eyed geek with a hooked nose - the information he presents will be valued on its merit. Though if he has no personality, he can't expect to have a show. I watch many astronomy documentaries, I would hate to think that I was that shallow that I wouldn't watch a show because of the way a person looked.

3) The on-line discussion I am proposing is for a serious discussion.

4) I am not the only female on here that has enjoyed the fun banter regarding his looks, the guys have enjoyed the banter as well and their input has been a lot of fun. Brian has broken the mold really as far as male presenters are concerned, so yes, we are having a bit of fun with it.

5) Asking him to join us on line is not purely for my benefit - he does have a large following, both male and female, many here have watched his show, and many have made comments on the "Wonders of the Solar System" thread in the Astronomy Media & Books forum. It just seemed a natural progression upon the ending of the series that we have been so closely following.

6) Yes, there are hundreds of physicist out there - but they don't all have a hit series show. The added bonus- yes, Brian is easy on the eye. He appeals to the masses, to the young and to the women. His show explains physics in a simple, easy to understand way. All this, is a recipe for success in getting science out there and educating people, so naturally it's going to be a hit show. It is a very different kind of show. If you read the thread that I mentioned earlier, running in the Astronomy Media & Books section on his show, you will read all of this and why we like his show.

Suzy · #18 26-03-2011, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen

lol Suzy i noticed you didnt mention that i would behave

Making you behave would be difficult and fruitless

We need you just the way you are- you have the most wonderful wit.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #19 26-03-2011, 01:56 AM

Suzy, you didn't need to justify your request, or get all serious

I was having a dig

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #20 26-03-2011, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

Ken, Nobody would want the person you describe never mind Suzy, it wasn't till Carl Sagen came along that science became cool to the public.
Brian Cox is only following in his footsteps.
Hundreds of Astrophysicists are not employed by media companies to sell their products and probably couldn't do it as well as Brian Cox anyway
Astronomy and Science need the likes of Brian Cox to keep the public informed
That the post was couched in fun terms, was none the less was a serious attempt at getting a well known and fun person to come and join us on iceinspace .
I think Suzy's Request to mike is a good one with plenty of merit and would be a great Coup for iceinspace

And I for one hope it comes to fruition

Cheers

Geez Ron, you need to settle down too.

Where has everyones sense of humour gone tonight.
Such a defensive lot!

And you say "Nobody would want the person you describe".
What about Prof Julius Sumner Miller? He was a hit.

Why single me out for using Humour.