I am concerned it will not be presented with the proper explanation of the physics of cirrus clouds, sun dogs, refraction and supersonic pressure waves. I have been approached by other organizations who wanted to call it mystical. As a scientist I cannot allow this.
And their reply:
Please kindly consider this matter. As you said, it is mystical and very rare phenomenon. Most of people have never seen this beautiful miracle before. We'd like to introduce it to the audience in Japan. The show is targeting the audience from children to older people. They'll be greatly moved and impressed by your video.
What?! NO! NOT mystical! Maybe there is something lost in translation? What do they think mystical means? What about MIRACLE?! I am uncomfortable with these words. I suppose ultimately it is best for people to see it and judge for themselves. Considering I got a YouTube comment from someone who was surprised the US even launches rockets anymore it's good to get that fact in front of a wide audience when possible. John Callender over at lies.com told me not to worry, just take the money.
Anyway, back to Phil's show, Bad Universe. He seemed a little nervous about how it will be received. His email indicated he was in self-deprecating mode, preparing himself for the worst -- a basic coping mechanism I know very well. Then I saw a Twitter update today crowing about Bad Universe being in the top 100 Google searches today. So of course I had to Google it a few times to help him out. I found a lot of good reviews and a few previews that look like fun!
Now not to diminish Phil at all, I have to mention that after a few trailers for his show, the search for "Bad Universe" produces a Strongbad email called Alternate Universe. Now that's pretty awesome, Phil. Good company :) Skip ahead to 1:30 and see Strong Badman, with his well drawn abs. Phil Plait has a cartoon version of himself for his show title but he only got a chiseled chin and pinched in waist and no well-drawn abs. Maybe next time, Phil!
I did see another trailer for the show that used a giant-shooting-light-out-the-eyeballs sequence that looked very like the intro to Earth Girls Are Easy, another influence I admire.
So good luck with your show, Bad Astronomer! And thanks again for helping my video go viral so the Japanese would decide they needed it! I need the money. As Granddaddy used to say, "Put it against your bills as far as it will go."
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