 The "EcoSphere" (top) is a small-scale model of the self-sustaining living environment of Earth; in the sealed, airtight globe, materials are used and reused in an endless cycle. Karen Nelson (bottom), a microbiologist from Jamaica, is filmed in her own environment for the series. |
Historically, an uneasy alliance has existed between science and television. The uneasiness is partially due to an age-old belief that communicating science to the lay public is not necessary, to some degree impossible, and even somehow inappropriate. From the general audience's perspective, science has long been viewed as boring and less captivating than programming designed to entertain. That, however, is changing.
These days, science is ever more dependent on the public for funding. The public, meanwhile, needs to know something of science; discoveries and advances are affecting lives more than ever. Add the fact that the world is media driven, and the need for the two ...
