Are you disapointed in all the pseudoscience on the Discovery Channel?

I can't say that I've spotted these programmes on the Discovery Channel yet. What sort of time are they on? I can understand why people might find it annoying, but then again, these topics sound interesting to me, and I don't think it is worth making another spin-off discovery channel to air them. Surely there is enough time in the day for all types?

by Bryony Harrison

The three I mentioned were documentary specials (ie. they were on once- I put the years) but there are loads of pseudoscience shows on Discovery like Ghost Hunters, Amish Mafia etc.

Sure, there's "room" for it in terms of airtime to fill, but it's ethically dodgy for them to present themselves as educational but screen things that are demonstrably untrue mixed in with the science.

I call it more shameful than annoying. We have a similar station in Canada called TLC or The Learning Network. The station used to air mostly were basically educational reality TV with a few documentaries tossed in. Unfortunately their mandate has changed over the past number of years, they now air things like Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding which have no educational value whatsoever. It's just sad.

by DamienR

No, but I am disappointed in people who tout the 'facts' they have learned as a result of watching shows that contain pseudoscience.

by Vee

It does bother me. If a channel is marketed as a factual channel, then it should be putting on factual shows. There are other channels for hoaxes and pseudoscience that someone who has paid for the Discover Channel probably isn't interested in.

by Sarah Bell

I don't watch the Discovery Channel but I agree with you in principle. Science is science. But all media is largely 'entertainment' and a high proportion of what you see and hear is presented with 'spin' that reflects the orginator's agenda or broadens its appeal to a larger audience.

Also, science is a closed book to many so they don't have the wherewithal to question what they are being told, hence myths get passed on as fact. But there is also the issue of trying to address the mass ignorance of science with populist programmes.It must be a tough line to walk but clearly some programmes overstep the mark.
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by jefff

Given that the typical content on the Discovery Channel is aimed at an audience with a fairly low scientific understanding, it is even more concerning that these types of programs are appearing. I would even go so far as to suggest that a significant percentage of their audience might even have trouble distinguishing between the real science and those programs that are based on pseudo-science.

by ibeds

I'm never happy to see misinformation spread. You'd expect better from Discovery.

by Kiesten McCauley

I think all the educational channels have gone this way. Nat Geo, Food Network, History Channel and Discovery Channel.

by Gia

I find SBS here in Aust. has very factual science,+++ programmes.

by sandw

We don't watch the Discovery Channels. I'm sure it's something 1 has to pay for.

by Miro