Janet D. Stemwedel (whose nom de blog is Dr. Free-Ride) is an associate professor of philosophy at San Jose State University. Before becoming a philosopher, she earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry. Email her at dr.freeride@gmail.com.
Here are a few items that have been bouncing around in my head of late. Are they connected to each other? You be the judge.
- "In science, feeling confused is essential to progress. An unwillingness to feel lost, in fact, can stop creativity dead in its tracks." That is, hands down, my favorite sentence in K.C. Cole's article in the May/June 2006 Columbia Journalism Review. The article tries to explain why editors (and their penchant for making things absolutely clear) can get in the way of good science journalism, but it has some interesting observations on the nature of science, too.
- Speaking of feeling confused, if you haven't yet taken a stab at The World Fair's Puzzle Fantastica #1, you really should. Faced with three items, a set of additional clues, and the assurance that it all adds up to something, how many different defensible answers can people offer? Lots. But Dave and Ben are not just playing with your head; there's an important lesson here about the interpretation of data.
- As for interpretation of data, would it surprise you to learn that completely unscripted reality shows have writers? This interview with Daniel J. Blau, one of the writers for America's Next Top Model currently on strike for the right to organize (so they can get basic benefits like health insurance), sheds some light on the post-production labor involved in finding coherent story arcs amidst the noise.
- Do you suppose there are detectable patterns in blog posts when bloggers are making them (live) every half hour over a 24 hour stretch? The Sixth Annual Blogathon, which starts July 29, will give you a chance to find out. Of course, these intrepid bloggers aren't just embarking on this blogging marathon to further scientific knowledge -- they're also trying to raise money for charity (and you can sponsor one).
More soon!
Comments
Yep, reality shows have writers. Probably not all as scripted as that would imply, like professional wrestling is. A matter of post production and editing - it's about weaving a decent story out of the footage, and giving appropriate voice-over fill in. I got the cues for the exact outcome of Joe Millionaire from the first episode, which seems like a good sign of writing. Not of good writing, mind you.
Interesting thought - how is the reality-writing process like and unlike scientific process? It's not unlike the process of assembling a legal memorandum from existing authority.
Posted by: Unlearned Hand | July 26, 2006 7:25 PM
That's why I stick w/ the creativity-based reality shows like Project Runway (on in 30 minutes!), Top Chef, etc. That way, I know that most of what's edited out isn't so important -- do I really need to see a designer completing the first stich, then the second, then the third, then..... Plus, as they're kept unreasonably busy the entire day (only given a day or two to conceive & execute a garment), there's little "just fartin' around" time, when the writers & producers might interfere to push a little more action.
Posted by: Agnostic | July 26, 2006 9:26 PM
Thanks for posting this when you did, Agnostic -- I forgot to set my Project Runway timer, but now I'm good!
(I really want them to cut Angela this week!)
Posted by: Janet D. Stemwedel | July 26, 2006 9:43 PM