Brian Cox delves into the mysteries of the universe and its fundamental elements
Brian Cox, a professor at Manchester University and a Fellow of the Royal Society, is set to captivate audiences with his new BBC One series, "Forces of Nature." The show, which will air its first of four programs on July 4, aims to take viewers on a tour of planet Earth to explain the beauty of the planet through the lens of core physical forces.
Inspired by the desire to reveal the incredible natural forces that shape our world in an accessible and visually spectacular way, Cox blends scientific explanation with awe-inspiring imagery. The series, which has been in development for the past three years, is a testament to Cox's passion for making complex science engaging and understandable to a broad audience.
One of the unique aspects of the series is its use of real-life events to illustrate big ideas. For instance, the program illustrates gravity with children participating in a festival in Spain called 'castellers.' These children build living towers consisting of up to ten tiers of people, harnessing geometry to counteract gravity.
Another example is the honey harvesting of Nepalese villagers, which is featured in the series to explain the concept of collective effort and cooperation in nature.
Cox was apprehensive about having to make compromises for a bigger BBC One audience but was reassured by Charlotte Moore, Controller of BBC One. He had only worked for BBC Two and Four before "Forces of Nature."
The series is described as being in the spirit of the Reithian tradition, which aims to inform, educate, and entertain. The show takes viewers on a grand tour of the planet, explaining the science behind nature's phenomena, such as the formation of mountains and rivers, weather patterns, and ecosystems.
Carl Sagan's Cosmos is cited as an inspiration for the series. Like Sagan, Cox uses dramatic TV to give the audience 'permission to view integral calculus.' He is also a professor of public engagement and an advocate for science investment.
In a chilly stunt in Iceland, the series explains why water is blue. Gravity works equally in all directions, causing the Earth to become a sphere. The concept of the 'potato radius' is discussed, referring to the size below which cosmic objects are not smoothed by gravity.
Venki Ramakrishnan, President of the Royal Society, introduced Brian Cox at a Royal Society event, praising his ability to make complex science accessible and engaging for a wide audience. The series is set to inspire and educate, taking viewers on a journey through Earth's stunning beauty and diverse landscapes, all governed by a handful of fundamental natural forces.
- Brian Cox, inspired by his passion for making complex science engaging, will utilize real-life events like the 'castellers' festival in Spain to illustrate gravity in his new series, "Forces of Nature."
- The series, described as being in the Reithian tradition, aims to inform, educate, and entertain, taking viewers on a grand tour of the planet to explain the science behind nature's phenomena.
- In the series, viewers will learn why water appears blue, as gravity is explained through a chilly stunt in Iceland, where the Earth's spherical shape is demonstrated.
- The show takes its inspiration from Carl Sagan's Cosmos, using dramatic television to give audiences 'permission to view integral calculus,' and are set to be captivated by Cox's compelling narration.
- As a professor of public engagement and an advocate for science investment, Cox's series on "Forces of Nature" will not only inspire and educate viewers but also promote sustainable living and an appreciation for environmental science, data and cloud computing, and education and self-development.
