[Pseudoscience-is-malarkey (OP)]

I've been on this forum for many years and have not seen one scientist in the nude. Am I looking in the wrong places?

[alancalverd]

I usually post naked but don't want to shame other male posters with my Adonis physique, so I turn the camera off and stick to intellectual humiliation.

Why do you think TNS is a radio show and not TV? If folk could see World Heavyweight Champion Chris interviewing Miss Universe about her third Nobel (physics, medicine, peace), nobody would pay any attention to the imploding hadron collider in the background. 

[Bored chemist]

[evan_au]

I do vaguely recall seeing a photo of the Naked Scientists team from many years ago, which had strategically placed lampstands and desks...   but I can't find it now - maybe just as well!

[Eternal Student]

Hi.

I do vaguely recall seeing a photo of the Naked Scientists team from many years ago, which had strategically placed lampstands and desks...   but I can't find it now - maybe just as well!

   They are still found with a Google Image search and appropriate keywords.    However, I would agree that they don't need to be found and it may not be useful to do so.

    As I understand it,  one of the major figures who set up and runs the NakedScientists is Chris.  He was a Biologist, specifically a medical consultant specialising in microbiology.       [Reference:   https://www.thenakedscientists.com/users/chris-smith ].
    He probably anticipated more use of the forum for Biology then there has actually been.   So let us look on the positive and sensible reasons for including the term "Naked" in the title.


Point #1:       ...This site is intended to promote science for all, from 6 year old kids to people who are retired....... None of this should prevent you from discussing delicate subjects (e.g. matters pertaining to human sexuality), but it should inform you as to the tone you should take....

[Taken from Acceptable Usage Policy.   https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=8535.0

      So we can decide to take the opinion that there was / is still  good reason for illustrating that no human biology would be considered off-limits.

Point #2
    A dictionary definition of the term "Naked" includes the following:
  ......
 2...(especially of feelings or behaviour) expressed openly, undisguished.

[Taken from Google's built-in dictionary feature, as available in the UK]

     So we can decide to take the opinion that the phrase was used to imply that the site / the show would attempt to discuss things as they truly are.


Point #3
    There are already plenty of science forums and shows out there.   This forum site is distinguished by being one of the most tolerant and friendly you will ever find.   In particular it doesn't, or shouldn't, make any poster feel that their question was stupid or imply that the user would reasonably have been expected to know any specialist vocabulary.
     So we can decide to take the opinion that the choice of title is part of the informal and slightly light-hearted image they wished to present.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -
      Despite all that I've said above.   I would still prefer it if the site changed it's name and adopted something a bit more refined and less easily ridiculed, but it is what it is.    For example, I am getting tired of explaining to visitors who use my computer that shortcut links I've left on my desktop to webpages of NakedScientists is not what they may think.

     I'm not staff, the decision is not mine to make and I suppose there is some value is maintaining the brand strength by continuing with the existing name.


Best Wishes.

[neilep]

I do vaguely recall seeing a photo of the Naked Scientists team from many years ago, which had strategically placed lampstands and desks...   but I can't find it now - maybe just as well!

I remember seeing that too, I'm still recovering.

[alancalverd]

If the emperor has no clothes, it is the duty of scientists to say so. Unlike philosophy, politics or religion, there is only one correct answer in science, so we all parade our ignorance and vulnerability in the search for truth.

But I raise my hat to Chris the Diplomat for a Radio 4 interview where he reviewed Herr Fuhrer Trumpf's understanding of COVID virology without actually using the words "dangerous idiot".

[neilep]

If the emperor has no clothes, it is the duty of scientists to say so. Unlike philosophy, politics or religion, there is only one correct answer in science, so we all parade our ignorance and vulnerability in the search for truth.

But I raise my hat to Chris the Diplomat for a Radio 4 interview where he reviewed Herr Fuhrer Trumpf's understanding of COVID virology without actually using the words "dangerous idiot".

All the people who followed his advice were cured of covid very quickly...... And every other sickness they had.... Permanently.

[paul cotter]

Oh dear, Eternal Student's visitors think it is a porn site!!

[neilep]

" Stripping Down Science".............to make it accessible to all levels , from me (a sheep)..to PHd's and above....