Hey, I'm under 50 although don't feel like it so much this morning :p
It's a very UScentric article but it still highlights some very good points.
The Meade sale aside I have mentioned in a few posts before the effect of Stargazing Live on the UK public and industry and it is a real boom. In Europe if you want to buy any gear around the time the show airs it really is best to get in before hand because retailers are run off their feet afterwards and stock levels disappear.
I have also seen much cynical critisism(not the majority thankfully) of the so called "Cox effect" amongst astronomers which in my opinion doesn't do amature astronomy any favours.
I have always said if you put a similar show on a major network like 7, 9, 10 in Oz you would see a similar boost in interest and the retailers would go into meltdown if not properly prepared.
Why not, the UK based ratings speak for themselves and same goes for Sky at Night. How I would of loved a show like that on our screens growing up.
I think it's not only up to the media to present our past time in a good light but all of us no matter what level we are at, if you can get one new person looking through a telescope then that is great.
Thankfully there are excellent online communities like IIS full of amazing members to encourage the next generation of stargazers.
The other thing I'd like to pick up on is the Amazon connection, while it's good people are increasing their interest I'm certain they would be better served purchasing from specialist retailers. Still, beggars can't be choosers.
