Discussion
Perhaps this should be in the TV film and streaming thread, but I don't think it's broadcast or streamed anywhere. Though Netflix really ought to pick it up.
I've just bought James Burke's Connections series on DVD, and I'd forgotten how brilliant it was. A science documentary series covering how basic scientific principles were discovered and turned into useful technology.
James Burke covers a lot of information at a cracking pace, apologising occasionally that he can't squeeze everything interesting in, but it's all completely clear. Not because he dumbs things down but because he understands his subject so well. Never portentous or patronising, just infectious enthusiasm.
In some ways it's like a David Attenborough nature series, similar production values and the budget can't have been far off. But without the slightly ponderous 'this is really interesting and important' style, James Burke just describes things so well you can't help but keep thinking 'wow this is interesting and important'. Like the best features of David Attenborough and Jeremy Clarkson combined.
So if you want to know how problems with water levels in mines led via the invention of the barometer to experiments in the passing of electric current through monks, buy the set.
I've just bought James Burke's Connections series on DVD, and I'd forgotten how brilliant it was. A science documentary series covering how basic scientific principles were discovered and turned into useful technology.
James Burke covers a lot of information at a cracking pace, apologising occasionally that he can't squeeze everything interesting in, but it's all completely clear. Not because he dumbs things down but because he understands his subject so well. Never portentous or patronising, just infectious enthusiasm.
In some ways it's like a David Attenborough nature series, similar production values and the budget can't have been far off. But without the slightly ponderous 'this is really interesting and important' style, James Burke just describes things so well you can't help but keep thinking 'wow this is interesting and important'. Like the best features of David Attenborough and Jeremy Clarkson combined.
So if you want to know how problems with water levels in mines led via the invention of the barometer to experiments in the passing of electric current through monks, buy the set.
James Burke, a very,no, an excellent presenter who puts it across in such an easy to understand way.
Way back in 1969 I rang the BBC studio to ask, what I thought was a rather simple question on something I just could not grasp put through and he answered the phone! and took the time to explain it and checked that I was getting it. Great fellow he should still be on the tele.
Way back in 1969 I rang the BBC studio to ask, what I thought was a rather simple question on something I just could not grasp put through and he answered the phone! and took the time to explain it and checked that I was getting it. Great fellow he should still be on the tele.
Remember loving the show when it came on. I was probably 8 or 9 at the time. James Burke was a brisk and engaging presenter and I enjoyed the leaps he made from idea to idea
My Dad, who is a mathematician and engineer, was rather sceptical about its intellectual rigour. Probably why I liked it;)
My Dad, who is a mathematician and engineer, was rather sceptical about its intellectual rigour. Probably why I liked it;)
Eric Mc said:
The original series was shown in 1978. There were a few follow up series quite a few years later.
I've always liked Burke. I hadn't realised for years that he's Irish.
That's interesting. I thought his Northern Irish accent was very distinctive, then I watched Derry girls and realised it's (to English ears) quite mild. I was wondering how he sounded to Irish ears.I've always liked Burke. I hadn't realised for years that he's Irish.
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