Prime Time Replay:
Bill Nye
The Science Guy
MsgId: *emedia(7)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:01:12 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
It's another episode of E-Media! I'm Paulette, the moderator for tonight's program. Tonight's guest is well-known for making science fun--for both kids and adults. Bill Nye, the Science Guy, is currently seen on public broadcast stations, and was featured in a recent commercial for the Smithsonian Museum's anniversary event! Bill Nye, are you here?
MsgId: *emedia(13)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:07:46 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Hello, I'm here. It's Bill Nye the Science Guy.
MsgId: *emedia(17)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:11:22 EST 1996
From: guest At: 207.96.21.57
Bill, where are you from originally?
MsgId: *emedia(19)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:12:59 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
I grew up in Washington. DC. I've lived in Seattle almost 20 years.
MsgId: *emedia(22)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:14:35 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
How did you become "the Science Guy"?
MsgId: *emedia(23)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:16:03 EST 1996
From: guest At: 207.96.21.57
MsgId: *emedia(24)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:16:22 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
I worked at Boeing and other aerospace firms in the Seattle area for about 10 years, while a pursued stand-up comedy after winning the Steve Martin look-alike contest. I got a job writing for a Seattle Comedy show. Eventually, I went after the Science Guy full time.
MsgId: *emedia(27)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:17:37 EST 1996
From: guest At: 206.31.56.95
Bill, was it the interest in being an entertainer or an interest in science that brought you to this point....?
MsgId: *emedia(30)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:19:12 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Both.
MsgId: *emedia(35)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:21:08 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
I read about your comedy background on your website--which, of course, explains the nature of the "Bill Nye the Science Guy" program. It's not a straightforward, by-the-book educational show by any means! How do you come up with the ideas for the programs?
MsgId: *emedia(41)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:23:26 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
I'm glad you like the show. The ideas are developed using science curricula for 4th grade. That turned out to be a pretty good level for many of us.
MsgId: *emedia(39)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:21:39 EST 1996
From: guest At: 206.31.56.95
Bill, in five words or less, what's your opinion on the impact that the "net" will have on science?
MsgId: *emedia(44)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:24:39 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
The net speeds and helps the distribution of information, Particularly among scientists. The faster and wider new ideas spread, the better for science.
MsgId: *emedia(43)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:23:57 EST 1996
From: guest At: 207.42.61.52
Bill, thanks for keeping science fun! Can you recommend some safe, and fun experiments to share with children? Don
MsgId: *emedia(47)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:26:44 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Please consider getting either or both of my books. BNSG's Big Blast of Science or Consider the Following. They're loaded with demonstrations. And, unlike many other science books, the demos all work (!). Thanks
MsgId: *emedia(51)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:30:54 EST 1996
From: guest At: 205.188.36.120
Bill, I really enjoy your PBS show. I particularly enjoy the outtakes at the end.
MsgId: *emedia(55)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:31:56 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Glad you like the mistakes. We make plenty of them.
MsgId: *emedia(46)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:25:51 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
Bill: Would you ever come up with a program that explains science to adults specifically? Are you working on other TV (or even radio and/or film) programs? And, have you featured programs on cyberspace for children?
MsgId: *emedia(50)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:28:58 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Yes, every year we apply for funding from the National Science Foundation, Disney, and PBS to do what we refer to as "prime time specials." So far, no go. We all feel the time is right, right now. We'll see what happens. And, how about that Science Guy Feature film. We'll let you know.Bear in mind, the fundamental difference between a fourth grade and an adult show is the vocabulary. Fourth graders differ from adults mostly in experience. 10 year old people are well on their way to being tax payers.
MsgId: *emedia(56)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:32:40 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
Taxes could take another hour, Bill.... For "BNSG", are all types of sciences explained or explored on the program? Are there any areas of science that you'd stay away from?
MsgId: *emedia(59)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:34:41 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Actually, no. We try to cover "planetary, physical, and life sciences" equally. We talked a long time about the "Sex Show." It became the "Flowers Show." Not too different it turns out.
MsgId: *emedia(53)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:31:02 EST 1996
From: guest At: 207.42.61.52
Bill, I love to watch "Operation" on my local PBS station. Did you ever consider being the commentator for like shows because you can make them less medical and more educational for us non-docs?
MsgId: *emedia(66)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:40:39 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
We do about every fourth show about some part of your body, e.g. Respiration, Digestion, Nutrition, Bones & Muscles, etc.
MsgId: *emedia(58)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:34:03 EST 1996
From: guest At: 205.188.36.120
I used to watch your Seattle comedy show reruns on Comedy Central. Are there any plans to continue the reruns somewhere?
MsgId: *emedia(61)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:36:37 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
As far as Almost Live goes, it's still on every week here in Seattle. Comedy Central didn't pursue it after they reconfigured some existing Almost Live bits that one time.
MsgId: *emedia(60)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:36:07 EST 1996
From: guest At: 206.31.56.95
Bill, do you ever run into political pressure (funding issues) on sensitive topics, environmental issues, etc? (Bob)
MsgId: *emedia(64)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:38:41 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
No. We almost never hear any feedback that is restrictive in any way. We did get a weird message from some one at PBS, who was nervous about the Evolution Show. It was from some one, who should know better. Evolution is not a theory. I guess it was a century and a half ago. Darwin is debated; evolution is not.
MsgId: *emedia(63)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:38:02 EST 1996
From: guest At: 207.42.61.52
Bill, Have you ever considered spending time on the Mir Spacecraft, or have you've been asked to be a guest astronaut? Don
MsgId: *emedia(68)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:42:22 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
I have applied and reapplied to be an astronaut. I'm sure I could handle it mentally and athletically. There are about 25,000 applicants for every 12 positions. "How many PhD's do you have?" oh...
MsgId: *emedia(65)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:39:27 EST 1996
From: guest At: 152.163.237.61
Mr. Nye, what do you do for fun, besides science, of course! I love to build spaceships and stuff with legos.
MsgId: *emedia(70)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:43:49 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
For fun, I ride my bike, go dancing, or split wood. For me though, it's all science.
MsgId: *emedia(76)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:47:16 EST 1996
From: guest At: 152.163.237.61
I like to ride my bike too. But I don't like dancing very much but I'll do it if I have to. :) Mostly, I like science stuff too. I like to look at stars and comets and stuff with my mom. (Robin)
MsgId: *emedia(67)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:42:10 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
How is the "Bill Nye Science Guy" website going? I'm not capable of using Netscape with AOL on a Mac, so I wasn't able to hook up to many of the Quicktime and reel demos on the site.... Have you ever thought of creating programs on other subjects--like history, arts, etc.?
MsgId: *emedia(73)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:45:33 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
This year we're doing a show on Architecture, which is discusses the merging of history, art, and science. Hm. Incidentally, I'm writing to you on a Mac. You neep TCP etc. See? There are still lots of imperfections. Check in in 8 years or so.
MsgId: *emedia(71)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:44:42 EST 1996
From: guest At: 206.31.56.95
Bill, Macintosh or Microsoft?
MsgId: *emedia(77)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:47:31 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Macs are still far more intuitive and easier to use than the fanciest forms of Windows 95. But the PC world is where the really useful and cool software is. Right now, you have to be fluent in both. I guess we'll all stay tuned.
MsgId: *emedia(78)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:49:35 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
You also have a CD-Rom out for "Bill Nye the Science Guy" (now is the time to plug heavily--hinthint). In the last remaining minutes, can you describe the CD-Rom, and tell us where fans can reach you on the net?
MsgId: *emedia(81)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:51:27 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
The CD-Rom is a game in which you the player must save the world from a meteoroid impact. It could take you hours! Our website is just "nyelabs.kcts.org." There's E-mail there and lots of info about upcoming episodes. It has been the "Site of the Week."
MsgId: *emedia(86)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:56:50 EST 1996
From: guest At: 205.216.162.83
Do YOU actually read all of the mail that people send you through the KCET e-mail box?
MsgId: *emedia(91)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:59:15 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
I read all the mail, but there are people, who help me answer it. There are lots of specific questions about station call letters, broadcast times, etc.
MsgId: *emedia(80)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:50:19 EST 1996
From: guest At: 152.163.237.61
Mr. Nye, do you like Star Trek or Star Wars? I saw First Contact and figured out some mistakes they made with science but I really like Star Trek.
MsgId: *emedia(82)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:53:36 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Star Trek and Star Wars are both cool. Neither of them is, as far as we know right now, very good science. In space there are no sounds as such, because there are no air molecules to carry sounds. Hm.
MsgId: *emedia(83)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:54:10 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
One last question, Bill: Does science have a future, or have we reached the end of things to be explored? Where should young hopefuls look in order to make new discoveries?
MsgId: *emedia(88)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:57:37 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Oh my! We haven't even come close to knowing what there is to know about the world. Just offhand, ask yourself this: What causes apples to fall off of trees? Gravity? Okay, what makes gravity? Gravity waves? Gravity Fields? Gravitons? Big HMMM. Science seems to be limitless.
MsgId: *emedia(90)
Date: Mon Dec 2 21:58:54 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
Thank you, Bill Nye the Science Guy! You can check out his cybersite on the World Wide Web. It's very helpful to have Quicktime, Netscape 2.0 or better and Java to access the site in full. Thanks again, Bill Nye!"Bill Nye the Science Guy" can be every day on PBS. Check local TV schedules for times and stations.
Next week is "Alien Autopsy" with the producer, Robert Kiviat. See you on December 16th!
MsgId: *emedia(95)
Date: Mon Dec 2 22:01:48 EST 1996
From: Bill At: 204.182.67.113
Thank you for having me on! It's pretty doggone fun. Alien Autopsy? The film is clearly a fake. I guess it's a hoax. Be skeptical of extraordinary claims; they require extraordinary proof, not fake film footage. Simply put: Science Rules! Thanks again...
MsgId: *emedia(96)
Date: Mon Dec 2 22:02:40 EST 1996
From: Paulette At: 152.163.233.9
That's just what Fox Mulder on "The X-Files" said! Thanks again, Bill!
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