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It's official: President Obama will join the intrepid team of the Discovery Channel's "Mythbusters" series in a Dec. 8 episode -- part of a bid to promote math and science education.
He made the announcement after touring exhibits at the White House Science Fair celebrating the winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions. On hand for the event were Nobel Laureate and Secretary of Energy Steven Chu; Bill Nye, the science guy; National Science Foundation Director Subra Suresh; and Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman from "Mythbusters".
"I taped a special guest appearance for their show, although I didn't get to blow anything up," the president told the East Room audience.
The "Mythbusters" episode will retest a "solar ray" legend that says ancient Greek scientist Archimedes gave soldiers polished shields -- acting as mirrors -- to harness the rays of the sun and set fire to an invading Roman fleet, the "Mythbusters" team explained to reporters outside the West Wing. In the episode, which was taped in the White House library, the president tasks the team with determining once and for all whether those shields could have sparked a fire.
"It's amazing to be brought here and to be brought into the fray of getting kids interested in science," Savage said.
The president believes education is key to America's ability to compete in the 21st century global economy, and he has said he wants America lead the world in the proportion of college graduates by 2020. He has often focused on the need to improve math and science education in this country, and today's White House event was part of the administration's efforts to get young people excited about these fields.
It's hard to describe how impressive these young people are, Obama said as he recounted the work the students presented, calling it a "testament to the potential that awaits when we inspire young people to take part in the scientific enterprise."
"We welcome championship sports teams to the White House to celebrate their victories," the president said. "I thought we ought to do the same thing for winners of science fairs and robotic contests and math competitions, because, often, we don't give these victories the attention that they deserve."
He talked about students in Appalachia who worked on water purification and a young self-taught chemist who developed a potential cancer-fighting drug.
"If that doesn't inspire you; if that doesn't make you feel good about America and the possibilities of our young people when they apply themselves to science and math, I don't know what will," he said.
Saying nothing can prepare young people better for success than a strong math and science education, Obama also noted that the most common course of study for S&P 500 CEOs was not business or finance or economics but engineering.
Leave a Comment:
Please tell me he's going to dispel the Birther nontroversy once and for all?
That and a thousand other putrage stories would be hysterical if he just took them on - one by one!
But, enough - Ignoring the trolls won't make them go away, so you might as well dish 'em their red meat.
I don't know what's funnier - this, Angle's confusion differentiating Hispanics and Asians or Reid comparing the POTUS to a Chilean miner. I simply cannot wait to hear what the rank-and-file of both the left and right have to say about this.
If nothing else, the "news" never fails to dish up the meaty red lulz.
LOL Clara!
You beat me to the punch! That was the first thing I thought of when I heard the announcement!
How DARE the President PROMOTE science and challenge the right wing nitwits claim that the earth is ONLY 5000 years old and Bible Spice walked with dinosaurs!
Who the hell does he think he is? *insert snark*
Let the HOLWING begin...
I am sure many parents will keep their kids home the day this is shown in school? I mean, we can't have him furthering their education with his socialistic principles, now can we?
Irony alert, they keep the kiddos home; but forget to block The Learning Channel. Oops,...what am I saying? In their households, The Learning Channel is probably permanently 'blocked'. (ps. I know it's on Discovery - but my hyperbole is working for me!)
You know it Clara!
What's amazing is you have President Obama promoting science & math while at the same time you've got that tea bagger in NV promoting what is equivalent to racial profiling...
Ahhh... decisions... decisions.... lol
Clara KCMO - Well, there's a problem with allowing science, math, engineering into people's minds - reality seems to have a liberal bias.
I mean, look at it, it's there. It's definable by certain characteristics. It IS, but we are constantly changing and refining our perception of it. As we come to understand it better, we alter our behavior to match, as to not do so would be inevitable suicide (or at least severe discomfort).
Plus, all that "reality" showing that "teh gheyness" is in fact a perfectly natural order to species and such... That's "icky" and therefore all the data and facts and such must be wrong.
There is something bizarre about this entire story.
I'm concerned about the lack of interest in science in this country's education system, to say nothing of the lack of proficiency in higher mathematics. But, is Obama the bet spokesman?
Certainly, in his mind, there is none better; however, if he seeks to stimulate interest in the adolescent set, would not one of their, say, hip hop heroes have been a better proponent? You know, for the "cool" factor?
Maybe he could have made a phone call, rather than an appearance. ..
Lets see if he dispels this myth too?? http://www.iwantyourmoney.net
Joe, in all honestly, I'd rather have the POTUS stand up and talk to kids directly about the importance of education than some pompous little twat like Justin Bieber.
E.D., I replied to you, but little gizmo has a mind of it's own sometimes, and posted it on the second page.
Gonna have to figure out another one of it's quirks. . .
You know, having grown up in a church going family and attending several different churches as an adult to find the best fit for my non-denominational existance, the ONLY people I ever hear making that 5000 yr old claim are people on the left. I remember it was a common belief around the same time scientists thought there was only a single big bang. Give it a rest. You obviously just grab onto talking points and hold on like a pit bull. It's not true of everyone who doesn't vote like you do.
Do you feel the strong urge to strap a bomb and blow up the Mythbusters building like that liberal in the news a few weeks ago? No? Didn't think so. It's called being a unique individual and people aren't a bunch of programmed robots if they don't vote like you.
Hopefully they'll put his campaign promises to the test... wouldn't be very entertaining though since we already know they are all "Busted".
No biggie, Joe. The blasted thing does much to me every now and again, so I'll just reply to your response here.
Long and short of it is I don't see anyone in the pop scene who stands out as a solid role model for the young and hopefully no single kid with an independent mind would take seriously. Frankly...I mentioned Justin Bieber for his status as the latest and greatest untouchable media-child, complete with the arrogant, contemptous attitude. If Bieber were my kid I'd have sand-blasted his ass with my belt by now for all the ways he acts out.
People can say what they like about Obama and his policies, but in my view I find his success story to make him far, far better role model material than what the entertainment industry's churned out.
I mean, consider the alternatives. Snookie? Bristol Palin? @!$%#in' 'ell.
Allen-968499 - Considering how many people in this country actually DO believe in the biblical account of 6000 years or so, yeah, I'd say it's pretty necessary to smack that one up, down, around and around as hard and often as possible.
http://people-press.org/commentary/?analysisid=118
From 2005, but education hasn't taken that many leaps and bounds since then. In many ways, it's gotten worse, particularly with these Creationist museums popping up here and there. While you may say, "Neither I nor anyone I know believes in a 6000 year old Earth," many, many people keep inserting the idea of god where it has no place. We've got a lot of literalists hanging around, and they need to be disabused. We've also got a lot of interpreters, particularly with "Intelligent Design" around, who try to say that the bible is an allegory for evolution and that god's design is all around and that he only helped on the "really hard" parts. It still comes down to "Magic Man done it!"
Moderate Christians keep whining that atheists and scientists (and, g*d forbid atheist scientists) should be more accomodating to their religious beliefs. When was the last time any Christian was accomodating to atheist beliefs?
Feisty - Lol - Bible Spice that's awesome.
On another note, I love Discovery Channel, but I don't see anything on the Learning Channel that promotes learning. Isn't it all just reality TV like"Who Can Have The Most Babies" and "Watching Little People Cope With the Outside World". Aren't these the same guys that wanted to give Octomom a show.
"Obama to appear on 'Mythbusters'"
____________________________________________________________________________________
Is this where Obama explains his assertions over the weekend that voters "can't think straight" and "don't understand scientific argumrnt?"
If people like you are anything to go on Madison, I'd say his comments were spot-on.
Obama is right on the money when he says voters "can't think straight" and "don't understand scientific argument".
Since moving to the mid Atlantic states I've lost count of the number of people who have told me that they believe that the Earth, Universe, all of it was created 5000 or so years ago. Having faith is one thing, but rejecting science and reasoning is quite another.
Yeah, fur-sure. If ya'disagree with Obama, ya'just not think'n straight. Ya'must be a hick or something if you can't figure out Obama is like the biggest genius of all'time! Better th'n that there Einstein guy, because my'gosh Barack is a lawyer!! Yeah, I'm thinking this unemployment and economic problems we seem to have, well, that's the Republicans fault cause they didn't leave the Democrats waste, ehh, spend, ehh, invest another trillion on their union buddies. If them dumb old Republicans would'of processed the data right using the "scientifc argument", they would've seen that Obama had it all figured out!
That's what the world looks like in Obama's Land. What a load this guy has become.
Attention "the one and only:" The Bishop Usher's date, (if I have it right) Oct 22, 4004 BC, implied a 6000 year anniversary party on Oct 22, 1996. I then found out that a monk named Dennis upon creating the Christian calendar started off with 1 instead of 0 which actually gave me a second shot at it in 1997. I carefully channel surfed both nights through without one mention of the significance of that evening. Where were the fundamentalists then?
Does it really need to be said that people shouting "keep government away from my Medicare" aren't thinking straight?
FR chums the water again...and it isn't even "Shark Week"...
SHHHHHHH!! Don't mention Shark Week or someone might level a broadside at Discovery HQ again...
This guy is a bad rash that won't go away.
Who, your dad? Uncle? Cousin?
...Jesus?
he'll be half gone in a few weeks, and 100% in 2012 or sooner
I knew this would upset the flatearthers/birthers. The last thing they want to see is a educated population.
No doubt about it Patrick. They want a populace that's just educated enough to work, not educated enough to realize they're being fed a load of Conserative hocum.
With so many on the left advocating that it's "bad" to watch any news media that may have a conservative point of view, I'd have to disagree with which side wants to keep the population in the dark.
As for which party wants people to work and be educated, that'd probably be the party opposing more entitlements for those who choose not to work.
And flat earthers? Really? That's not a party platform as far as I know. Which media source sold you on that hocum?
You can watch anything you like. Fox is a conservative mouthpiece, and people should be aware of that when they watch and know they are being spoon fed what the the Wall St tycoons want you to think.
I listen to snippets of Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck regularly, and even Michael Savage on occasion. It helps me know what crazy lie will next become common currency.
Can't wait for the righties to comment that "Shovel ready jobs" are a myth.
in 3, 2, 1...
Is President Obama a right winger? He is the one who told the NYT that there is no such thing as a shovel ready job.
What's frightening, Yellowdog, is that at the time of my post eight morons have voted up your comment.
OH, no! Obama wants to do something that encourages kids to learn science.
Here come the slings and arrows.....
Damn that grave misfortune, eh?
Good god do you actually believe that? He just wants some free election time face on the screen, narcissist that he is.
Man... Why they gotta go and wreck my favorite show??? Thank God for the DVR. At least I can fast forward through the icky part.
OK Obama, would you stop being a celebrity and focus on being President of the United States.
That is and always has been part of the job. The president is head of government and head of state. If you don't like it, move to a country that has splits it between two people.
So encouraging young people to educate themselves is not part of being the leader of the US? Perhaps you think it's a waste of time to learn something based in reality?
Perhaps Steve, like myself, just wishes Obama would stay the heck out of my evening entertainment. I get assaulted with enough Obama-Mania in the main stream media, I don't need to see his latest greatest campaign stunt during my favorite cable programing, too. Yes, education is important and we pretty much suck at it, but I doubt that the great one making an appearance with Adam and Jamie is going to help that situation any, either, since it's still not addressing the root causes of our failing education system.
Look at the difference:
1. President Obama:
"It's hard to describe how impressive these young people are, Obama said as he recounted the work the students presented, calling it a "testament to the potential that awaits when we inspire young people to take part in the scientific enterprise."
2. Think Progress: At a candidate forum last week, Georgia state Rep. John Yates (R) was asked for his recommendations on what to do about illegal immigration in Florida. Yates replied that troops on the border should be given “shoot to kill” orders and that flyers should be dropped in Mexico warning of the new immigration policy. “They ought to be armed and if warned leaflets dropped all over Mexico says that we will shoot to kill if anybody crosses and be serious about this and if they do that then there won’t be anybody killed [sic],” reasoned Yates.
__________
I was just reading an autobiography about a black man who grew up (born) in Nazi Germany. Now we all know how the leaders of Germany wanted a pure Germany for their future. Blonde, blue eyes, a certain measurement of this skull (?). Yup.
The author talked about growing up in Germany during those awful years. But I was so shocked to read that he had many many many friends in his neighborhood and at his school. He of course ran across the usual bigotry that went hand in hand with Germany during those days, especially from school teachers and the usual bullies. He tried to fit in which meant that he attempted to join the Hitler Youth when he was 10 years old; he attempted to join the service when WWII broke out. Yet he was deemed unacceptable. As he said - "I wasn't good enough to die for Germany".
But in 1944 when the war was going really bad, Germany not only wanted him, they needed him. But he refused.
But never was his life threatened. Ever. He had the usual racist comments that "perfect" people like to aim at those they feel less superior than themselves. He was an incredibly bright student all through his school years. He was welcomed into everyone's homes in his neighborhood and treated with a great deal of respect. Both he and his mother (white) were. As the war as winding down and Germany needed workers, this man was always working. When his place of business was bombed to the ground, he went and worked elsewhere. When his home was bombed, he and his mother lived in bombed out buildings when the war was over, just trying to survive. They were practically starving to death. This is what the German politicians did to Germans. Nevertheless, his fellow Germans helped him to survive.
And I look and read this statement above by President Obama and then this Republican and I have to wonder - where did we get these people who are so damn mean and callous towards other people?
This country needs to put Education at the top of the priority list.
Pat - can you share what the title of the book you reference? This looks like it was a fascinating read.
Pietro, it's "Destined to Witness" written by Hans J. Massaquoi. I guess the point of my post is that politicians can be real jerks, who will say and do anything to get elected, especially using immigrants, legal or not and minorities/the poor to blame for everything. The victim card that the well to do love to use. They exploit religion as well.
But it doesn't mean we the people have to follow their thinking lock stop. I wish people would stop drinking the kool aid with these hateful people who are in office. I wish more people would speak up and speak out. If you want to vote for him, fine. But this talk should be unacceptable to every single American in this country. We should look out for each other, otherwise, the politicians will do and say whatever they want. As will the corporations.
The book was incredible, Pietro. The author never met/saw another black the whole time he was growing up and it wasn't until the Americans came to his city when the war ended in 1945 that he met another African American.
A black soldier gave him food as he looked like he was going to die from starvation. But it was that way for ALL Germans, not just him and his mother.
Pat - thank you for the information. I have some information about some African American GIs that decided to stay in Holland after WWII was over rather than return to a segregated America and I am looking for those source materials.
I also found out that some African-American GIs settled in Novosybirsk in Present Day Siberia in Russia for the same reason. One of their daughters/granddaughters became an editor for Pravda in the region. I am trying to get more information about this as well.
We talk about intolerance amongst Europeans during WWII and say that can NEVER happen here in the United States. Although I am still learning from history, I see that the current climate of intolerance in America today is eerily similar to the intolerance of pre-WWII Europe. We can learn from our history, but it is sad that many AMERICANS CHOOSE not to.
We have an AMERICA that is hurting right now. We, as AMERICANS, need to HELP ONE ANOTHER, no matter what our political stripe is, because it is vital to the survival of AMERICA.
Unfortunately, we are seeing the 'divide and conquer' strategy being played out. Do we REALLY care if you are conservative or liberal when we are BOTH going to be hurt?
There more that binds us than what divides us.
Too bad our electorate is too busy fighting amongst itself to care.
---are you trying to build a case for nazis? Good God. Glad the guy made it cuz thousands like him didnt
Oh no - did you even read my post? Where did I mention ANYTHING about Nazis?
I'm glad he's not coming to my kids school to promote this education thing. Oh no, I don't want this president talking to my kids because God forbid they might actually become interested and get into socialist enlightment. I don't want this! What is he talking about engineering, scientist, and others for? We don't need these people. All we need is some God fearing individuals who will speak truth to power about taking our country back. Don't feel scary when he talks like that? Who does he think he is?
The President of the United States of America.
I think Doles might've been attempting to be sarcastic, but I really can't tell. o_o
Indeed Exodite Dragon, 'tis a Poe if ever there was.
I love, love, love this President!
I love our president too, as a fellow human being that is. That said, I absolutely hate, hate, hate, the job he's doing and the agenda he's forcing on us.
As far as the topic goes, I have no issue with a sitting or past president encouraging kids to work hard in school, but then it needs to be evident in his own actions. Obama seems to want to avoid the hard work and hard choices. Remember all those "Present" votes in the senate.
Brian-595389
I have no issue with a sitting or past president encouraging kids to work hard in school, but then it needs to be evident in his own actions. Obama seems to want to avoid the hard work and hard choices.
Uh Brian, where exactly have you been since Jan 2009? Our President has successfully passed more legislation than other President in DECADES. Now maybe you don't like every single piece of legislation, that's certainly your right. But to suggest he isn't working tirelessly on our behalf is pretty disingenuous. Further, he is criticized for virtually every move he makes. Yet he continues to be courgeous and fearless, working on some of the most controversial issues I've seen in my lifetime.
Hard work, hard choices....they're his middle name.
PS. A cool kat on a cool show.....how inspiring!!
Yes VermontGirl he has signed lots of bills, bills we'll be paying for for decades. Frankly if Nancy, Harry, and Obama had gone golfing every day the past 22 months we'd all be better off. Translation, sometimes doing nothing is better than doing something, especially if the something you do exasperates the problems. Examples, the stimuless, and health care take over. If cap and tax becomes law, forget about America ever being a leading manufacturing center again. Anyway we're all entitled to our opinions. We managed to express ourselves without insulting each other. Time will ultimately show which philosophy works best, bigger government or smaller. Peace be with you.
Brian - as far as philosophies are concerned, why can't we have both? Why can't we balance the two?
It seems to me that our issues as a country are NOT static; so why on earth would we think that being ideologically STATIC would actually help?
I would agre that in some cases, smaller government and free markets would be the better philosophy. On the other hand, when we have situations where people are literally starving in the streets, then bigger government and a hand UP would be a better philosophy.
I think that many of us - myself included - get so pigeon-holed in one particular philosophy when the situation we find ourselves in is more FLUID than STATIC.
Maybe a hybrid of philosophies - depending on the circumstance - would be the BEST choice for America, don't you think?
Archimedes rocks!
It's great to see the WH return to a "reality-based world-view" after the "faith-based" murk of the W-years.
And it's great to see science-students given at least a bit of the adulation showered on sports jocks and popular entertainers.
So right . We need to dispel some myths about Oblaba. Like that shovel ready
projects which he canned us to fork over trillions and left us with a hammer in the
right hand and a sickle in the left.
What do people gain grinding every good thing into the ground? I guess it satisfies their need to be unhappy.
In his defense, a hammer and sickle looks so much more bad-ass than a shovel.
Perhaps, the producers can go back in time when he was nailing pamphlets with
his shoe heel on the lamposts of Chicago. Paining graffiti on its walls and maybe ,
just maybe show us when he and Ayers the terrorist use to hang out as pals in
Ayers house and maybe just maybe show us what they were plotting whilst
reading Alinsky's book 'Rules for Radicals'.
How to 'bang' your mom, presumably.
Get it? Terrorists? Bang?
...explosions? In every way imagineable...?
I think it is great to get children interested in science. I was in R&D electronics for most of my AF career. The spark still burns and it makes my world most interesting place. I hope the GOP doesn't make this a negative thing. Let's all support science and math for our kids and grandkids sake. Take them to the local Science Center or library and fascinate them with our world. Get a telescope or microscope and explore the very far away or very close parts of where we live.
ROCK ON OBAMA!!
It's about time we had a government that glorifies intellect rather than stupidity!!
...while you still can!
This is certainly less embarrassing than when Nixon used Elvis to push his anti-drug message.
But what the hey? I though the MB already had an episode on the Archimedes polished shields.
I think I see a red-faced republican!!!!
You go, Obama!
Doles-
You are retarded... when did math and science become socialist enlightenment?
You are so ignorant that it actually scares me that people with your line of thinking actually exist...You are to America what Al Qaeda is to Afganistan...you represent a small minority that gives the rest of us a bad name.
America is in serious trouble if the president is ridiculed for promoting math and science...If I ever were to pray, I would start for your children
He might've been attempting sarcasm. Jury's out on this one 'till Doles replies in the affirmative or negative. >_>
Feisty Redhead get your facts straight! The religious fruitbats DO NOT say the earth is only 5000 years old......They say it is 6000 years old!!!!! Lot can happen in 1000 years ya know! 30,000 foot mountains can erode .0000000000000001 of an inch in that time ya know!!!!
My Bad Pathman!
You're spot on... and let's not forget that monkeys could evolve into humans right before your very eyes!
Well that is at least before there were zoo's! ;0)))
Maybe they should try upping wages for science and engineering jobs if they want todays youth to look at these. There isnt alot of interest in jobs that are hard to study, and offer 40-80k average while ceos and business directors rake in from 80k up into the millions. Just a thought.
...and don't forget politics, where all the greedy bastards wind up
Is he going to bust his myth of change and transparency?
You can do all this AFTER we boot you out in 2012 Obama.
You presume way, way too much, bro.
So, while the economy collapses and impending financial doom creeps ever closer, the President is busy filming PR propaganda with help from the Discovery Channel:
http://gravelle.us/content/obamas-myths-busted
Swell.
I, for one, am hoping that a number of Obama's misconceptions will be tested, including his belief that there really IS such a thing as a "free lunch":
http://www.dailyscoff.com/?p=2856
The episode airs a full month after the entire electorate weighs in on whether Dr. Soetoro's myths have already been "busted".
And they most certainly have...
-jjg