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Discovery Channel - factually inaccurate programs.

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  • 16-07-2006 10:17pm
    #1
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,827 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Has anyone noticed how many edutainment programs on Discovery seem to be biased Infomercials ?

    Just watched a program on discovery about a US guided shell called Excalibur.
    The program claimed it's the first to have correction in mid flight. Also they talked about the electronics and how they got them working in the shell. The claim for it being the first shell with GPS sounded like it was the first shell to have electronics in it.

    Copperhead (laser guided) shells which correct their flight started developement in 1971 and were deployed in the 1980's . The Russians also deployed the Krasnopol laser guided shell. So mid-course correction has been available a long time.

    Proximity shells with electronics in them were in use in WWII, so not exactly a break through.

    Overall the program seemed to be a sales pitch or infomercial than edutainment. A lot of other programs seem to have this short sightedness where the subject of the program is referred to as the "biggest / fastest etc." even though there are bigger and faster objects outside of the US.

    It's bad enough having to watch the same thing N times, without the feeling that you are watching a program that could have been made just to influence the purchase of munitions..

    /RANT - me is more tollerant of National Geographic even if The Munnies of the Takla Makan was on every second week.


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    #2
    mike65
    Closed Accounts Posts: 88,978 ✭✭✭✭mike65


    This thread is also inaccurate. Programe is spelt programme on this side of the ocean. :)

    Discovery is American and so its likely they belive the Engima code was stolen from the Nazis by Jon Bon Jovi

    Mike.


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    #3
    Karoma
    Registered Users Posts: 19,396 ✭✭✭✭Karoma


    Mummy, what are munnies?
    mike65 wrote:
    Discovery is American and so its likely they belive the Engima code was stolen from the Nazis by Jon Bon Jovi
    I think you'll find it was stolen from Osama's grandfather.

    Most of the time, Discovery and the other "educational" channels tend to phrase things a certain way, as opposed to blatantly lying. However, you're absolutely right about the U.S. bias. They only ever praise technology that's outside of the U.S. if it's 10 years+ old.


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    #4
    YeAh!
    Registered Users Posts: 440 ✭✭YeAh!


    I've noticed on the Discover Channel forum that other viewers have been noticing that incorrect facts are commonplace on the channel.


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