I can see clearly now

Here’s some alliteration with Alan Alda – on his 86^th birthday. Guest blogger Sally Seed looks at life after Hawkeye – a life lived to the full.

The M*A*S*H actor’s Conversations about Connecting and Communicating (3Cs), is a series of podcasts where he talks to experts about everything from science deniers and space rocks to vaccine research and learning from zombies! As well as interviewing many fascinating scientists and medical specialists, he has used his contacts to chat to actors from around the world about their perspectives on communication and connection.

Until I discovered the podcasts, under the banner of Clear + Vivid, I didn’t know that Alan Alda was such an advocate of science communications and public understanding of science, I didn’t realise that he was nearly 86 and I certainly didn’t know that he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2015! What I love about the podcasts is that none of these three things comes across in the interviews: he talks to experts as friends and lets them do the explaining; he has the curiosity and enthusiasm you might associate with a much younger person; and only very rarely does his own Parkinson’s diagnosis come into a conversation.

I am not sure whether the podcasts came first or the Clear + Vivid name but it’s incredibly appropriate. There is plenty of life, personality and vitality in the interviews and they are also clear, explaining complex ideas in simple ways and making them personal too. I’ve worked in communications for over 30 years but I started out as a lab chemist and I love the way that an award-winning actor (and director and playwright) is using his skills to clarify modern science.

As Alan Alda celebrates his 86^th birthday today (28 January), I can recommend a browse of the almost 200 Clear + Vivid interviews that are available online. Or, if you’d like a few recommendations:

Marcia Rieke – an astronomer interviewed late last year about her Infra Red telescope that is part of the James Webb Space Telescope. Now that those shields and mirrors have all unfolded, this is a great podcast if you want to find out more about this project.

Bill Bryson – just listening to two such wonderful voices in conversation is worth the time and the author focuses more on his wonderings and science writing than his worldwide wanderings.

Michael J Fox – this is where the shared Parkinson’s diagnoses come into a conversation, and it makes fascinating listening. The title is “How to keep going when life gives you speed bumps” and it is both encouraging and inspiring. My favourite quote: “I might accept it but that doesn’t mean I’m resigned to it.”

Which seems to fit the attitude of Ali and ParkyTracks too.

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Thank you, Sally.

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Play>> I can see clearly now >> Jimmy Cliff

Sally and I didn’t think the M*A*S*H theme tune Suicide is Painless was really appropriate for the spirit of optimism and clear vision that Alan Alda promotes, so here’s Jimmy Cliff.

Main photo: Wikimedia Commons