I watched The Ascent of Man when it first came out - I was probably 8 or 9 at the time.

That scene at Auschwitz where he walks into the pond is burned into my memory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltjI3BXKBgY

Edit: It was many years later that I noticed the reference to Leo Szilard, reminding me of this quote from The Making of the Atomic Bomb:

"In London, where Southampton Row passes Russell Square, across from the British Museum in Bloomsbury, Leo Szilard waited irritably one gray Depression morning for the stoplight to change. A trace of rain had fallen during the night; Tuesday, September 12, 1933, dawned cool, humid and dull. Drizzling rain would begin again in early afternoon. When Szilard told the story later he never mentioned his destination that morning. He may have had none; he often walked to think. In any case another destination intervened. The stoplight changed to green. Szilard stepped off the curb. As he crossed the street time cracked open before him and he saw a way to the future, death into the world and all our woes, the shape of things to come..."

I'm not sure how I originally came across it, it was certainly well before my time. But I'm glad I did. It is incredibly dense - especially when compared to today's TV shows - but perfectly understandable. Bronowski's passion for the subject matter is evident at all times, and his humanist take on science lends an endearing quality.

That's a beautiful excerpt, thanks for sharing.

I doubt if I actually took very much in from watching it - other than wanting to be a scientist! My dad seemed to thing getting me to watch it would be good for me.

However, I still remember that scene nearly 50 years later.

That moment when he stands in front of the remnants of Auschwitz, kneels down, reaches into the sludge of ashes and says, “We need to touch people”.

It would be an Ask HN in and of itself to ask: What broadcaster today, YouTube or otherwise, comes even close in education, trust in the intelligence of their audience, and sheer balls?

I'd love contribute to that thread. I'd suggest ~10am PST on a Tuesday, as that seems to be the best time for threads to get going. I'd love to have some more heroes to put up on the wall for kiddos.

As for the question: I'd say Hodan Nalayeh who was killed by Al-Shabab in 2019. Her work in Jubaland is sorely missed these days. She was more of a journalist/influencer/founder though, so I'm not sure if it totally fits.

I posted it. Didn't get any traction though. Maybe you should try. I think it would be a great thread. Just a matter of timing and luck.

There's an accompanying booklet which comes with the DVD box set that explains how in most other scenes he does many takes, but for that scene in Auschwitz he does it in one, unscripted. Truly a powerful moment.

I'd love to see such a thread! I personally can't think of anyone comparable to Bronowski given those criteria. But even someome in the same ballpark would be interesting to hear about

Ok then. Tuesday at ten it is.