A sleek geek.

September 7, 2009 8:38 AM

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has done a lot in his life so far.

A medical doctor (with degrees in a lot of other stuff as well), a broadcaster , a best-selling author of books with titles such as 'It Ain't Necessarily So...Bro' and 'Please Explain' (the humour of that last title may be lost on non-Australians) that make science understandable without dumbing it down too much, a wearer of rather bright shirts, a safety campaigner, one time political aspirant - he's done it all. He is probably Australia's best known, and best loved, geek.

posted by Megami (12 comments total)

Please explain.
posted by benzenedream at 9:46 AM on September 7, 2009 [1 favorite]

"In 1995 he took up the position of the Julius Sumner Miller Fellow at Sydney University, spreading the good word about science and its benefits."
posted by neuron at 10:33 AM on September 7, 2009

Oh, it's the other ABC.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:11 PM on September 7, 2009

This guy is pretty great, I used to love listening to him on Triple J.
posted by turgid dahlia at 1:31 PM on September 7, 2009

turgid dahlia: "This guy is pretty great, I used to love listening to him on Triple J."

You and me both. His passion for science is undeniable. I got a kick out of hearing how excited he'd get as he explained something I didn't understand, but now understood somewhat better because of him.

In short, Dr. Karl rocks.
posted by Effigy2000 at 2:13 PM on September 7, 2009

I've been listening to Dr Karl, on and off, for many years now. What impresses me most about him is how he never, ever gets sick of answering the same question over and over and over again.

"Why do car wheels seem to spin backwards when I see them on TV?"
posted by Jimbob at 3:24 PM on September 7, 2009

Heh, yeah Jimbob. Or that old chestnut "How does stuff get in my belly button?"
posted by Effigy2000 at 5:35 PM on September 7, 2009

Dr Karl is my science hero.
posted by cerulgalactus at 1:20 AM on September 8, 2009

I'm strangely reminded of the Mitchell and Webb Fun Historian.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 1:40 AM on September 8, 2009

He's also happy to give short answers to short questions on Twitter. There was an interesting exchange about deja vu last week.

I've always had the impression that he's so enthusiastic about science he can't help but share it with the world. It's a rather contagious excitement - after hearing him on the radio I'm always much more keen to get out there and try some silly experiments, just for the sake of knowing more about stuff.

I wonder how this fits in with the seeking behaviour discussed in an earlier FPP? I bet he's never satisfied with the knowledge he's got.
posted by harriet vane at 4:26 AM on September 8, 2009

The year I attended the University of Sydney, there was a survey conducted of Australian science students. A huge proportion of respondents listed Dr K as a major influence on their decision to study science. I wish I could find the results again, I believe it was around 30%.

He may wear goofy shirts (they're made by his wife, by the way), but his impact is remarkable.
posted by PercyByssheShelley at 5:50 AM on September 8, 2009

I wonder how this fits in with the seeking behaviour discussed in an earlier FPP? I bet he's never satisfied with the knowledge he's got.

Dr. Karl is a pretty humble kind of guy, who isn't afraid to admit when he doesn't know something. (Part of his stage patter was(?) that he's only an MD, not a proper Doctor.) He certainly isn't afraid to ask, either - professors at Sydney Uni are used to fielding questions from Dr K.

I've met him a few times while working at Sydney Uni. He's an exceedingly talented communicator, and one of the nicest blokes I've ever met. As far as I can tell, everything you see on stage, TV or radio is genuine.
posted by zamboni at 10:32 AM on September 8, 2009