RE: [cdn-nucl-l] Homer's powerful nuclear lesson for Scots

["Whitlock, Jeremy" <whitlockj@aecl.ca>]

Title: RE: [cdn-nucl-l] Homer's powerful nuclear lesson for Scots

Well said Morgan.  To put it another way, the nuclearphobic meme, one of the most virile on the planet, is sufficient to change The Simpsons from "cartoon farce" to "reality TV" whenever the subject arises.   Sad, but true.

 

(The Simpsons gets honourable mention in my recent CNS conference paper, "Memetic Engineering and Public Acceptance", on-line (pdf, 230kb) at:

http://www.magma.ca/~whitlock/cnf/J_J_Whitlock_memetic_engineering_(website).pdf)

 

Jeremy Whitlock
"The Canadian Nuclear FAQ": http://www.ncf.ca/~cz725 

-----Original Message-----
From: Brown, Morgan [mailto:brownmj@aecl.ca]
Sent: Monday July 15, 2002 4:42 PM
To: cdn-nucl-l (E-mail)
Subject: RE: [cdn-nucl-l] Homer's powerful nuclear lesson for Scots

Thanks Adam

I recall that when The Simpsons first appeared, the American Nuclear Society expressed concern about the show.  We (in the Cdn nuclear industry) thought the ANS view was paranoid.  I'm not so sure now ...

When I watch the Simpsons (an amusing and often intelligent show, IMHO), I am not embarrassed by Homer's nuclear connection.  I find it highly amusing because it is so preposterous.  I enjoyed your Springfield Nuclear Power Plant vs. Ontario Power Generation comparison because it was a light-hearted juxtaposition of the cartoon world and reality.

It appears that the ANS view may have been right, because for many people television is reality (the anti-nuclear movement have carefully honed their television skills).  I do not believe that Fox TV have anything malicious against the nuclear industry - the paranoia and misperceptions regarding the nuclear industry make it a delightful vehicle for the show's sarcastic sense of humour.

I am astonished, however, that people can view ANYTHING on the Simpsons as literal.  It is a farce through-and-through.  After all, they have aliens, the end of the world, Marge's hair, kid spies, an ancient robber baron (Mr Burns) and incredible plots.  That makes it all so amusing, and my hat is off to Groenberg and co.  The truly incredible thing is that people can selectively believe one thing about the Simpsons - namely their protrayal of the nuclear industry - and not see it as farcical.  We are in big trouble when people actually BELIEVE the Simpsons!  "That is, like, so sad."

For the "green" groups to latch onto the Simpsons as an icon, and defend the Simpsons' portrayal of the nuclear industry as being representative, shows either i) they are incredibly ignorant and probably believe in UFOs and that Elvis is still alive, or ii) they are unconscionable in their condemnation of the nuclear industry and will stop at nothing to further their cause.

cheerio

Morgan