Posts Tagged ‘BBC Radio 4’

Wed 27 Jan 2010

Lalla Ward on Douglas, the Doctor and Dawkins

Posted by chris under Reasons to be Cheerful, scifi   — No Comments

The sun rose brightly today in the Doctor Whoniverse, as Lalla Ward appeared on this morning’s BBC Radio 4 program Midweek with Libby Purves.

The honorable Lady Ward appears to discuss her current exhibit of wildlife thread paintings in London, but she also gives us nerds some deliciously dorky anecdotes. To wit: Patrick Stewart‘s admonition not to waste her time doing television (least of all science fiction!), how Douglas Adams introduced her to current hubby Richard Dawkins, and how she still enjoys “seeing old friends” when she does Doctor Who audio dramas.

You can listen to the show by following this link to the Midweek show and podcast. Get there quickly, as the Beeb has a tendency to restrict access to their shows after a short shelf life.

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: • • • • • •

 

Fri 15 Dec 2006

Review: Big Bang

Posted by chris under Book Reviews, Celebrity Sightings, Foxy Dudes, Science   — No Comments

Simon Singh

Big Bang: The Origin of the Universe

  • Author: Simon Singh
  • Year: 2005
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate
  • ISBN: 0007162200

Simon Singh’s latest — and perhaps last — book brilliantly walks the reader (however mathematically challenged) from the days man first wondered at the night sky to the current-day theories of the Big Bang.

As I’ve said before, Singh can break it down for you without being the least bit condescending. His books actually make you feel smarter (unlike those of, say, Stephen Hawking, who leaves me feeling inferior and DUUUUMMMMMMB).

Not only do we get swing along with the theories and counter-theories that have brought us to our current understanding: we also get a fascinating glimpse into the role of ego, pique and serendipity in the scientific process.

My copy of Big Bang was signed by Simon Singh at the “Theatre of Science” show I saw a few weeks back (see previous post). Although he is on my top-ten sexy nerds list, I couldn’t bring myself to slip him my phone number after he signed. Oh well…

If this is his last book, as he has said it might be, I hope it doesn’t rule out his appearance on TV and radio. (Great SS radio show: Five Numbers on BBC Radio 4. He followed it up with Another Five Numbers.)

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

Tags: • • • • •