I've been having an exchange with John Williams (stillhope here on SB) of SEA-Inside: Pacific Northwest about our respective efforts to use public access channels on local cable networks to educate the public (and other divers) about the underwater world, its residents, their ecology and the environmental issues we face there. John has a series of episodes covering the life of the Pacific Northwest and I have been running a local show (now also on Charter Communications in the Riverside/Norco area) featuring the highlights of what I've seen on my recent dives.
I posted a year or so ago about the idea of divers working cooperatively in their region to produce such shows on local public access, and to work cooperative across regions to expand the distribution of their shows across the States. I don't remember getting much feedback on it, but the communication with John has revived my interest in this.
About 10 months ago I wrote an article on this subject (Using public access to educate the general public about the marine world which, despite being in their backyards, they rarely see firsthand) intended for publication in SCUBA Diving magazine. Due to format changes and other issues (including the need to rewrite it), it has yet to be published (but hopefully will be).
I'm wondering if there are others out there who do similar things... collaborating with other divers in their area to produce public access shows directed at the general public? Imagine a network of such groups across the States (dare I say it, across the World... or even Universe?) working with mutual assistance not only to produce the regional shows locally, but to distribute the entire range of offerings as a package to cable networks all over the States/World/Universe.
When I began my "Dive Dry with Dr. Bill" cable TV show in 2001, the original intent was to reach the non-diving public since they seldom have opportunities to experience the underwater world first-hand. This audience is critical as far as education goes since we need a broader base to effect the political changes necessary to protect and restore these environments. Of course I've seen a lot of divers who are anxious to learn more about what they are observing to enhance the experience of their dives.
There was a report on The Today Show this morning about how fewer and fewer people are getting outside to enjoy the natural environment. I predicted this decades ago as we were evolving into a largely urbanized population, separated from the natural world. With modern technology the natural world has become even more abstract, and people are now "experiencing" it based on television shows (not to mention video games).
I'd love to hear of other efforts already underway or planned. Based on our communications today, I'm sure John is equally interested. There must be more of "us" out there who see the benefit in such an approach to educating others about our marine environments.
Of course you won't get rich by developing public access content. Believe me, I know! However it is a great experience for those of us who love the ocean and want to share our experiences of it with others.
I posted a year or so ago about the idea of divers working cooperatively in their region to produce such shows on local public access, and to work cooperative across regions to expand the distribution of their shows across the States. I don't remember getting much feedback on it, but the communication with John has revived my interest in this.
About 10 months ago I wrote an article on this subject (Using public access to educate the general public about the marine world which, despite being in their backyards, they rarely see firsthand) intended for publication in SCUBA Diving magazine. Due to format changes and other issues (including the need to rewrite it), it has yet to be published (but hopefully will be).
I'm wondering if there are others out there who do similar things... collaborating with other divers in their area to produce public access shows directed at the general public? Imagine a network of such groups across the States (dare I say it, across the World... or even Universe?) working with mutual assistance not only to produce the regional shows locally, but to distribute the entire range of offerings as a package to cable networks all over the States/World/Universe.
When I began my "Dive Dry with Dr. Bill" cable TV show in 2001, the original intent was to reach the non-diving public since they seldom have opportunities to experience the underwater world first-hand. This audience is critical as far as education goes since we need a broader base to effect the political changes necessary to protect and restore these environments. Of course I've seen a lot of divers who are anxious to learn more about what they are observing to enhance the experience of their dives.
There was a report on The Today Show this morning about how fewer and fewer people are getting outside to enjoy the natural environment. I predicted this decades ago as we were evolving into a largely urbanized population, separated from the natural world. With modern technology the natural world has become even more abstract, and people are now "experiencing" it based on television shows (not to mention video games).
I'd love to hear of other efforts already underway or planned. Based on our communications today, I'm sure John is equally interested. There must be more of "us" out there who see the benefit in such an approach to educating others about our marine environments.
Of course you won't get rich by developing public access content. Believe me, I know! However it is a great experience for those of us who love the ocean and want to share our experiences of it with others.