It was revealed on Monday that Obama is to appear on the television show "Mythbusters", a show that attempts to "separate fact from fiction" in various topics. The episode is set to air on December 8. The White House has commented on the reasoning for such an appearance, saying that the subjects of science, math, and engineering must be promoted, because low interest in these subjects among students could "hurt the economy."
Hmmmm. That seems like a stretch to me, eh? We're afraid of low interest in math, so Obama is going to appear on Mythbusters? And this appearance is supposed to somehow "help the economy"? Right. While the economy is still crawling and much of the country is in a dire financial situation, the president films some propaganda that will do absolutely nothing to help... anyone?
I think this TV show appearance by Obama is a complete waste of time. We, the American people, elected our president to pursue policy that would better our lives. How does an appearance on this show achieve this?
Obama, in fact, is being completely counterproductive to what really needs to happen if we want to increase interest in these subjects. We need more opportunities for children, we need to lessen poverty, we need to give schools more money. But no. We get a Mythbusters appearance instead?
And not only this Mythbusters appearance. We also got an Obama appearance at an MTV town hall meeting last week. Sounds beneficial, right? No, not really.
13 comments:
I find it ridiculous that President Obama is spending time on a television set in order to record propaganda, all while schools lack funding and people are struggling in the harsh economy. If President Obama really wants to support the sciences and education, he needs to take action, not just star in a show targeted towards a very specific (and redundant) audience.
I agree with my esteemed colleagues Daniel and Ryan. Obama’s appearance on the show would be a complete waste of time. The White House has stated it wants to promote math, science, and engineering. But a large portion of Mythbusters’ television audience already has interest in these fields. Whatever promoting Obama wants to do has already been done by the Mythbusters.
I highly respect President Obama and I do agree with him that we need to have our students be the innovative mathematicians, scientists, and engineers of tomorrow. It was such innovation that propelled the U.S. to what it is now. But there are far better ways than making an appearance on a popular Discovery Channel show. Investments should be directed towards research & development. College education costs should be curbed. In essence, we must provide an incentive and easier opportunities for the American people to receive an education and become competitive players in the global economy.
Well, with the election being such a popularity contest, I'm sure he'd like to stay hip with the kids these days.
I find Obama enjoys the fame of being president kind of outrageous. I feel out of any president he is more of trying to be the "Hip, Cool" president and not the boring, just sets rules, president. Although it is good that he is trying to get more into touch with the younger people and cater to their needs, he really needs to fulfill his presidential duties first and then he can go out and win himself popularity and soak up the fame.
Really, i just believe he is struck with fame and is excited that he can be all over the media and show himself on TV all the time. It is something new that we see in a president and we just have to get use to the ways presidents go forth with their presidency.
I think that President Obama's appearance on Mythbusters is a legitimate way of promoting interest. Providing opportunities for people is not going to have any effect if the kids aren't willing to pursue these subjects in the first place. In our current times, pouring money into the education system is not a very easy solution, and it does not guarantee success. Obama's appearance on Mythbusters is more of a way of making a point; he is attempting to demonstrate how fascinating science can be. It doesn't look like a propaganda ploy, but a genuine attempt at starting to bring change to our math and science education. As for the appearance at the MTV town hall meeting, that's just a smart way of reaching younger voters. As we learned, younger voters have one of the lowest voter turnouts, and an appearance on MTV is a good way of getting the younger voters interested and involved as well.
I completely agree with Rashmi. This is a genuine act and spending time on one Mythbusters show isn't going to take time away from supporting the economy provide for the "lack {of} funding" for schools many of you say we have. To me it seems like Obama is doing all he can to contribute to such causes. But just because a man's the president, doesn't mean we should expect everything to improve...instantly too. I believe people are criticizing this move to harshly...had he chose to be interviewed by playboy like Carter did, I would not defend him as much as I am here. But the fact that Obama is appearing on Mythbusters shows the American public how interesting the sciences are, even if an ulterior motive may be to gain the younger vote.
Among said "presidential duties" is being a public figure, and if this is one way to accomplish that, so be it. So, I also agree with Conor and Rashmi.
Also, this is just one appearance. It's not like he's doubling our national deficit by guest starring on Mythbusters.
- Anthony Lu
What a socialist president!
Yes, cause obviously I completely implied that Obama was a socialist and was out to transform the United States into a communistic country. Yes.
And I do understand that part of being the president is to be a public figure, but will this appearance really do as the White House says it does? Really? It's going to prevent a weakening of the economy by heightening interest in math, science, and engineering in the 9-14 Mythbusters age group, by an appearance of our president spouting random things on a television show?
Not to mention that the people who watch Mythbusters are very likely already to be math, science, and/or engineering-oriented.
Whoa there. Let's take it back a step. We're all students trying to get a good grade here.
All I can say in my defense is reiterate a famous song line, " I hear ya and I'm watchin'/But I'm still here I ain't stoppin'". My previous statement was meant to be sarcastic(slightly). But, my point is that the president is wasting so much time doing pointless things, while he still gets paid. But considering that we are now almost 3 trillion dollars more into debt since his election, I guess that there isn't much more he could do to shaft the nation.
I'm glad you agree with me then, Timmy!
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