It Was Science, Not War, That Made ‘Nova’ Great

In regard to Blaine Baggett’s Counterpunch article (“KCET Committed to Science,” Nov. 4) defending “Nova”:

“Nova” used to be “the best science series in all of television.” However, in the last five years or so, it has unfortunately focused more on modern technology than on science.

For example, it has had shows on not only planes, trains and automobiles but also on submarines, dirigibles, aircraft carriers and various other aspects of modern military technology. Even Baggett himself observes that “KCET is proud of the fact that, in recent years, we have produced a few of ‘Nova’s’ award-winning episodes, ranging from the program on ‘smart’ weapons being used in the Gulf War to a comprehensive look at the Northridge earthquake.” (One might even be led to suspect that “Nova” is being used as a recruiting device by the Pentagon!)

Maybe my baby-boomer brain has lost some cells, but I seem to recall that when I was a child, “science” shows dealt with the wonders of sciences such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, medicine and physics, not with how to more efficiently kill people. Aren’t there still wonderful things being explored in the “hard” sciences, or have we truly seen the “end of science”?

Well, since “nova” means “new,” maybe there is still hope that “Nova” will rediscover its roots and present some programs that focus on the “awe-fulness” of science rather than on its “awfulness.”

RICHARD SHOWSTACK

Newport Beach