It has been brought to my attention that I am sort of an anthropology snob and you know what I guess I kind of am. I find myself not being able to watch any TV shows or movies that showcase anthropological topics. The first and foremost of these happens to be the show Bones. Now one would think since I ADORE Kathy Reichs (maybe a little too much at times) that I would love the show. I mean David Boreanaz is on it and I LOVE the show Angel (once again, I know I love that show too much) but there is the unrealistic factor about it that I can't get around.
My motto has always been "don't knock it until you've tried it." If there is something that other people claim is so amazing I will try it out to see what all the hype is about. Hell, I even tried to read Fifty Shades of Grey for that very purpose. But I digress... I could talk about that monstrocity for ever. Point is I really tried to watch Bones. It has such potential and then they brought out the freaking hologram machine that could magically determine anything about a person from their remains.
Now I've talked before in my posts about how there are tools that anthropologists use to determine things about remains. One can determine race, gender, age, and many other things just from the bones of a person. What anthropologists can't do is then display that in this 3D image that awes all in the lab with it's magical powers. So yeah... the Bones ship sailed for me pretty quickly.
Call me a bone snob, but I just can't get into it. CSI is the same way for me, or any of those shows where they can "enhance" pretty much anything or find DNA matches in 5 minutes or less. In fact one of the first videos we ever watched in my Forensic Archeaology class was this montage of "enhance it" moments from TV and movies:
Grab it.
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About Me
- Sam Curtin
- Samantha (Sam) Curtin is a Geospatial Information Science Graduate Student at University of Maryland and a Penn State Anthropology Alum. She has a passion for horror, dark fantasy, anthropology, technology, and religion. By day, Sam is a technical editor for the federal government. Her first books "Dark Cell," "Deal with the Devil," and "Summer's Hollow" are available on Amazon.com. All are published through her publishing company “Behind the Curtin Publications.”
14 comments:
This was great! I love it.. bone snob.
Once again, all inappropriate connotations apply ;)
Oh god yes - the now ever present ENHANCE! "Stop, there's a reflection in that clock/lamp/framed picture/door knob/eye." The crappiest video camera in the darkest corner can somehow see what went on behind the counter in the store next door...
Oh yes, it is quite ridiculous! I think my favorite was on an episode of CSI they pulled an image off the reflection in someone's eye that was upside down...
Enhancing something doesn't always mean making it better. And that is what kind of kills some of the yumminess when it comes to Bones, the TV Show. The book feel real, the science makes you wonder about the crap people do to each other, and Brennan's life, well... is crap in the most realistic of ways so it makes me respect her.
Ahh yes,Sam, the lies, sleight of hand and visual wonder of Television. Personally I think those programs should come with disclaimers.
Bone Snob huh? Well, I should think you have a right to be. I love fiction and that's the only defense (if I needed one) for my lack of being upset at watching NCIS. It's the only who done it I like. Abby can do anything with Mr. Mag Spec. But then it's only fiction. But there is a case here in NM where a bonafide (sorry for the almost pun) case is pending. Some NUNU head is suing the state because the evidence in his son's case did not come back quickly like "he sees on TV". I really shouldn't admit I live in a state with blithering idiots but it's true. This was a great "enhance it" video, thanks for sharing. Oma Linda
You don't need a defense! Heck I watch plenty of shows/movies that annoy my Engineer Snob of a fiance. ;)
I agree, Paulette! :)
Very true indeed! The common consensus is that "enhance" means to make great which doesn't mean better. (side note when googling definitions google presented a lot of other enhancement sites, lol)
I'm glad I'm not the only bone snob. Like you, 'Bones' pretty quickly shattered my suspended disbelief and I cannot stand watching the programme.
In all fairness the Star Trek ones probably can "enhance it." :D
Kakale, I was thinking the same thing! :)
Yeah, House is another one that I can't watch. To be fair though there are times when I yell at shows on Science/History Channel that get things wrong as well. Yep... I'm definitely a snob ;)
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