Lost Horizon. Found.



TV BBC Four's latest "collection" is of old Horizon programmes to celebrate the programme's fiftieth year. They're introduced by Professor Alice Roberts:
"Looking back at the films, with the benefit of hindsight, we might feel that some programmes lacked objectivity or balance. But these programmes were reflecting real concerns - concerns expressed by scientists themselves about the potentially negative impacts of emerging technology on human populations, other species, and the planet as a whole. In subsequent series, alongside the presentation of more straightforward subjects such as new discoveries, Horizon continued to deal with areas of concern and controversy. The series accepted that, while science and technology could provide solutions, they could also become a source of problems. This, I believe, is one of the real strengths of this long-running series, and the reason that it is still such a trusted platform."
I dip in and out of Horizon in general, which is I suppose how it should be. There's been a tendency more recently to make sure everything is understandable to everyone, whereas in its heyday it assumed a certain knowledge of the world and I've always much prefered being in a state of slight ignorance and therefore with the capacity to learn than to have everything explained - though I appreciate it's a fine balance.

This is a good selection of programmes. The first episode about Buckminster Fuller is in there though it's the later programme from the early 90s which really had me watching Horizon, with its memorable shots of a wind-up football on legs.  Plus it's especially helpful that this "new" archive material is available through the iPlayer now, watchable through the television app.  As ever the clips section of the programme pages is full of gems too.

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