Blast from the past! Hank Green just edited this tour I gave him right before I moved to Chicago… I completely forgot about this and rewatching it right now brought up a truckload of memories and emotions.
Some people have commented that they miss these videos, or that the show was somehow better when it was off-the-cuff and unscripted… I constantly go between feeling defensive towards those comments and agreeing with them in some ways.
On the one hand, The Brain Scoop has become far more accurate; not that I was spouting off lies or anything, but I’ve become more conscientious about the utility of our episodes. I take lots of time to ensure that what we’re covering makes sense in a greater context of promoting scientific literacy, and in helping the general public to understand museums and their roles in our lives. On the other hand… these videos are so low-pressure and honest, and accessible in a way that I struggle to replicate today. I don’t know where to strike that balance entirely, but I do know the reality is that in Montana I had zero obligation to the University or any scientists there to make a good product, but at the Field it seems like hundreds of people are watching – not just the audience, but trustees and sponsors and directors, other departments and institutions, educational outlets, grant-giving agencies. That feeling of constant accountability isn’t bad - it’s quality control - but in seeing this old interview I’m also watching someone much younger, more naive, and in many ways less confident than the person I’ve become today: she’s only partially sure of the things she’s saying.
When I moved to Chicago, The Brain Scoop became way less about me and instead transformed into a necessary outlet for those who deserve credit and attention for their discoveries and scientific contributions. I’m incredibly proud of that because it was really hard to get to this point, putting my ego aside and learning how to use my observations and humor to communicate real science, not just focusing on my interests, not just talking about specimens out of context in drawers. I’m proud because this show is something so much more meaningful to science and museums than it was when existed by itself in Montana.
My enthusiasm towards natural history grows every day, but I can’t help but get a little older and a little more mature as those days go on. And I think that’s okay, too.
The Brain Scoop feels different now, but change doesn’t have to be bad. It’s really cool to see how the show has changed its focus and content and do things that weren’t possible in Montana (LIKE GO TO THE RAIN FOREST FOR SCIENCE ADVENTURES), but still remain accessible and engaging while sharing the behind-the-scenes work of museums.
The Montana episodes have the magic that every new thing has when it begins: no idea where it’s heading, huge novelty, and lots of opportunities for fun and quirky silliness.
That’s not necessarily gone now, but nostalgia biases our opinions. And on the bright side, TBS has more stability and possibilities for new topics at The Field Museum. The videos are more professional in feel (and literally brighter overall from the lighting), and its reach has grown past just vlogbrothers fans.
I’m kind of rambling now, but I think my main point is that TBS’s capacity to do good and positively influence a wide range of fans and institutions has grown tremendously, and that’s really cool to see. I like that it exists in a bigger sphere now, even if it feels different.
Plus, it still has brains on it.
(via entoderek)
