T188 Prospecting for Humor in a Geological Vein: Mining a Renewable Resource

Thursday, 8 November 2001
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM

HUMOR FOR A GEOSCIENCE TELEVISION SERIES

Paper number: T188-1
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Authors

Abstract

The dissemination of geoscience information to the general public through a television cable access video series provides a forum where humor is a compelling component. The series uses field trips, interviews, studio discussions and lab demonstrations to present local and basic geological and oceanographic information to Pacifica, California (near San Franciso). The video programs are used as supplementary teaching resources in addition to their community service applications.

The light-hearted attitude of the geoscience presentations includes a fictitious commercial sponsor: “Pacifica’s Pride.” The sponsor purports to be a potable locally bottle sewage wastewater from the city’s new treatment facility. Each episode includes an original promotion of the bottled wastewater.

In an age of increasing mass-media development it allows the geosciences to compete for the attention of the general public as well as students. It stimulates viewers to contemplate recycled use of tertiary treated wastewater in and exaggerated and humorous presentation while adding a comedic and memorable interjection to the science program.

Humorous video commercials that promote the realistic-looking product incorporate slogans, songs, guest appearances, and music videos. Selected video highlights will be presented.