A child’s guide to physics
Although I hadn’t realized it, the idea of educational TV goes back almost to the roots of broadcasting. And since we tend to compartmentalize such things, the best programming for the young and impressionable was offered on Saturday mornings. I’d like to give special attention to one series which taught me the fundamentals of physics.
Let me list a few: light vs heavy, low vs high, slow vs fast. All of them, necessary concepts. Add in some ingenious thinking, an imaginary firm (Acme) and you had the basis of a story as old as nature, or at least as old as Loony Toons. Wile E Coyote and the Roadrunner.
Now, I don’t know how to explain the tunnels painted on rock walls that were actually tunnels; there are many illusions in education. Also, how did rockets enter the retail stream? No matter. Since the late 1940’s, a very fast meal has eluded capture. Beep-beep! At least I learned that a cliff edge can be a dangerous place. And that the ability to run (not fly) is fundamental to this story.
In any case, watch enough episodes and you’ll have your physics theory covered, long before Grade Eleven. In fact, I never actually saw a coyote until decades later. Still haven’t seen a roadrunner. But, I know more about that pair than about almost any other rivalry in the animal kingdom. And deserts. We don’t have long stretches of road with canyons around here, but if ever I make it out to the Southwest, I’ll be ready.
Unfortunately, today someone posted the following image, and now I have to reconsider so many things in my life.
