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CSI Miami I-131 Episode and Schindler's List !!!!
CSI Miami and Schindler's list: Do you see a "strong social commentary" in
CSI ?
No one will minimize the power of TV or cinema either, but please, don't
compare a TV show like CSI with Schindler's list or other masterpieces
Even in such masterpieces, you will find "experts" saying that the portrayal
was not accurate, that it is misleading in some aspects etc.But you will
find that public remember and appreaciate these masterpieces for different
reasons, technical aspects, photography, scenario , the actors etc. Who will
remember that the same great actress was playing both in Silkwood Project
and in Sophie's Choice ? Perhaps many people. Now who will remember the
story in both movies ? Less people...but for sure many on this list will !!!
Ruth, I think no one on this list will disagree with the fact that we should
be careful about the precision of scientific info carried on TV or movies.
No one will also disagree to say that TV or movies are a source of
information (unique source ???) for many persons.
The point here is the overeaction professionnals on this list seem to have
for TV shows-movies- anti-nuclear statements etc. For me they are all in the
same "don't- loose- time- with- that- bag". I am the first one trying to
carry reality to my neighbor, friends, familly about rad safety and
"Hollywood scenarios". I often refer to them in my trainings as they are a
good source of learning and people remember the example.
What we are trying to say here is that we are already preaching to the
converted on this list and if we want to pursue the discussion, we might
take it OUTSIDE RADSAFE. Yes we need to speak out but you will find yourself
out of synch with the public who already have forgotten the CSI episode.
Radiation is a topic that can excite people only if it is portrayed badly
and people tend to remember negative things better and love to see people
with greater problems...(Is it proven scientifically ?) I am sorry to say
but even if National Geographic special on sharks was excellent, I still
prefer "Jaws"... And I am still going in the ocean with the same great
pleasure !!!!
Stéphane Jean-François, Eng., CHP,
Spécialiste en radioprotection-Radiation Safety Specialist
Gestion des risques-Risk Management
Merck Frosst Canada et Cie,
514.428.8695
Fax:514.428.8670
stephane_jeanfrancois@merck.com
http://www.merckfrosstlab.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: RuthWeiner@AOL.COM [mailto:RuthWeiner@AOL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, February 11, 2003 4:12 PM
To: sandyfl@EARTHLINK.NET; radsafe@list.vanderbilt.edu
Subject: RE: CSI Miami I-131 Episode
I believe the problem arises because most people's experience of ionizing
radiation and radioactive materials is not only fictional, but just this
kind of fiction. Most people have enough experience with lawyers and
doctors to know that fictional protrayals don't apply to all members of a
profession and can be exaggerated.
Having said that, I recall that a few months ago number of AMA members took
ER (I think) to task for portraying complete recovery of stroke and heart
attack victims. The AMA members pointed out that most people admitted to
emergency rooms with severe acute heart problems are elderly and rarely
recover anything like completely normal functioning. So they are concerned
too.
My main point is that most people's experience of radiation is what is
portrayed in entertainment venues, and it's almost always adverse. How about
show where a Tc-99 injectionfinds a severe fracture? How about a sci-fi
show in which a nuke plant saves a community from total blackout? I don't
think one ever sees those.
Finally, it's not "just entertainment." Movies like "The Best Years of Our
Lives," "schindler's List," and "Marty," the muckraking novels of Upton
Sinclair, "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis, "The Crucible" by Arthur
Miller, the opera "Wozzeck," the plays of Berthold Brecht, and Picasso's
"Guernica," just to name a few, are all powerful and influential social
commentary. The last, in fact, is so powerful that the current US
administration looks on it with disfavor.
I disagree with Sandy. It is important to speak out regarding distorted
portrayals of radiation, no matter how fictional they are.
Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.
ruthweiner@aol.com
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