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MICROBIOLOGY
Brian Abbott - Heart of Darkness and Microbiology
What a contrast between these programmes: Heart of Darkness; it was obviously a struggle to pad out the discussion to fit the programme length. Better to have had a programme about Conrad and his works. Microbiology; a subject that could have merited several programmes was compressed into far too short a time. -------- Suggestion for a future programme: Navigation. The development of navigational techniques and accuracy including means of finding latitude (sextant and predecessors) and Longitude (chronometer).
Kersten Hall - Microbiology
Thoroughly enjoyed 'Microbiology', but thought it was a shame that a mention for the physician Oswald Avery couldn't be squeezed in. Whilst attempting to find a cure for pneumonia in 1944, Avery identified the chemical substance responsible for conferring hereditary traits between pneumococci bacteria as DNA - a discovery of massive significance as it confirmed that the 'gene' was not just an abstract concept, but an actual molecule. Nine years later, Watson and Crick published their double helical structure for the DNA molecule and historians are still debating about the role that Avery and his pneumococci played in this. Mind you, there's probably enough material in the story of DNA for several more programmes. Top series - long may it continue - some ideas for the future - Michel Foucault - I would dearly love someone to enlighten me as to what on earth he was talking about; and Thomas Kuhn and his 'Structure of Scientific Revolutions' - how did he change our view of how science works?
marc microbiology
Hitting microbiology in one show is like hitting egnineering or architecture in one show. Whereas there is a definite course and the results are solid, the topic is far too large. There is not a show we do not listen to at home. The programme and podcasts are absolutely stirling and allow you to peak over the shoulders of giants. It is a pity the programmes are only available for download in the week after the show.
Cathy Microbiology
This was an extraordinary programme. If I had been 16 and not 56, I would have changed course and become a microbiologist on the strength of it. I learned several astonishing things: that scientists have only studied a tiny proportion of microbes in the lab; that microbes communicate and can behave like larger organisms; that they exchange DNA. I was riveted, as doors opened in my mind and huge new continents hove up on the horizon. Time and time again, this series manages to rekindle a sense of passionate curiousity that makes me glad to be alive. Thanks, guys.
Robin Forrester on topic Microbiology
In spite of the reservations expressed by Melvyn in his e mail circular I thought this was a brilliant programme, as much for telling us what is not known as for sharing some of what is known. As a social scientist I find this kind of topic opens up new horizons and joins up odd bits of knowledge. If Melvyn Bragg feels that there was not enough time to do it justice then perhaps (along with so many others) it should be added to the list of future programmes. In our time is by far the best programme on radio or TV. (I also really enjoyed the programme on Wilberforce altho I am glad for the promise (?) not to dump again the usual programme approach of a knowledgeable panel. Thanks again.
Pamela Dennett - Microbiology
Fascinating programme. Like Melvyn, I was very frustrated with the features that were not discussed - but it is such a large ranging subject. I think that Ann Glover forgot that one of the most life threatening diseases is AIDS and she should have included that in list along with heart diseases, etc. Microbes are the greatest survivalists on this planet and seem to have found out that working together helps that survival more than working against each other. It seems that man still has to learn that lesson.
Microbiology
Today's programme was so succinct, so able to explore new territory even though MB did not get to ask all of the questions that had arisen during his research another programme will therefore be well in order and most probably extremely well received by us! Thank you so much for again exploring our natural world and allowing us, the listeners, to think in new and often exotic ways! Brilliant speakers. Please, more!
James Leahy; Microbiology
Another interesting and important programme, but, perhaps as a result of a slip of the tongue, Anne Glover located the development of pasteurization as having occurred in the mid-18th. century. Though other speakers had already made it clear that this work was done in the 19th. century, her two references to Napoleon in the same segment of the programme left me so confused that I lost the thread of her argument. Napoleon, of course, was not on the scene in the middle of either the 18th. or the 19th. century, and the Emperor who was having a problem with his sailors and their wine rations was his nephew, Napoleon III. Fortunately, your Listen Again facility enabled me to catch up.
Charles Loving - Microbiology (and Newsletter)
An excellent program - and I agree wholheartedly with Melvyn's newsletter comment regarding Anne Glover's contributions. She was perfect. As an erstwhile research physicist, I'm often diappointed by the physicists in this series who find it so difficult to convey their ideas. Listening to Anne should be a lesson for all your other contributors.
Iain Connell - suggestions for future programmes
1. Consciousness: what light (if any) recent discoveries in neuroimaging and neurocognition can throw on an old problem. 2. Time travel: its place in popular culture, and could it really be possible. 3. Equality: why we believe in it now, and what we want it to mean.
Ann storey, Microbiology
I am a microbiologist and I thought this programme was excellent. We need more progammes on this subject so that the general public can understand just how important microbes are to our survival
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