[Editors] (no subject)

[William Litant]

Geek (like Nerd) may be embraced at MIT and Best Buy, but to a lot of the world it connotes a stereotype that is far from flattering. And I would suggest that a number of potential subjects for this program (e.g. a friend I have recommended who casts new steam engines for Stanley automobiles, or a person I know who takes vintage kitchen stoves and turns them into remarkable modern appliances) are about as far from being geeks as you can get.

I am 100 percent behind pointing out that the "Guy" program name is inappropriate (unless hosted by the ghost of Guy Williams), but as far as giving it a new name: TV shows are like newspaper articles - the writer/producer doesn't often get to select the ultimate name of the program beyond the pilot.


On Nov 20, 2009, at 12:34 PM, Nancy DuVergne Smith wrote:

> HI all,
> 
> Or the Go-to Geek.
> 
> Nancy
> 
> 
> Nancy DuVergne Smith
> MIT Alumni Association | Editorial Director
> W98-3rd Fl | 617-253-8217 | ndsmith at mit.edu
> http://alum.mit.edu/  |  Slice of MIT blog:  http://alum.mit.edu/sliceofmit
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: editors-bounces at MIT.EDU [mailto:editors-bounces at MIT.EDU] On Behalf Of
> Teresa Hill
> Sent: Friday, November 20, 2009 12:36 PM
> To: Nancye Mims
> Cc: editors at mit.edu
> Subject: Re: [Editors] (no subject)
> 
> How about the "Go-to Gang."  "Dancing with the Gearheads"?  A production 
> featuring teams of gearheads dropped on a tropical island and racing to 
> build a carbon-free energy source using only natural materials?
> 
> Nancye Mims wrote:
>> Yes, I agree completely.
>> On Nov 20, 2009, at 12:17 PM, Jennifer Schmitt wrote:
>> 
>> 
>>> Amen!
>>> 
>>> On Nov 20, 2009, at 12:13 PM, Emily Ranken wrote:
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> One idea I have is to change the name of the show.  Didn't anyone  
>>>> else have a reaction to the title?  As if guys are the only ones  
>>>> with specialized knowledge, ingenuity and arcane information.
>>>> 
>>>> Emily
>>>> 
>>>> From: editors-bounces at MIT.EDU [mailto:editors-bounces at MIT.EDU] On  
>>>> Behalf Of Jennifer Hirsch
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 10:03 AM
>>>> To: editors
>>>> Subject: [Editors] Looking for ideas for pilot of new show
>>>> 
>>>> Hi all,
>>>> Below is an inquiry from a producer who is working on a pilot for a  
>>>> new show.  He's looking for some ideas and thought you all might  
>>>> have some good ones.  You can reply to me and I will compile and  
>>>> send along to him.
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> 
>>>> Jen Hirsch
>>>> MIT News Office
>>>> Media Relations
>>>> X3-1682
>>>> ________________________
>>>> 
>>>> The "Go-To Guy" is a series of half-hour documentaries highlighting  
>>>> specialized knowledge, ingenuity, and arcane information that will  
>>>> surprise, enlighten, and entertain.
>>>> 
>>>> Each show will feature three unique individuals who solve a problem.
>>>> 
>>>> In some cases, the problem is solved by a person who is the only  
>>>> person who still has archaic knowledge or tools - a man like Louis  
>>>> Gentile of Quincy, who is one of the few people who can repair 100  
>>>> year old player pianos. In our pilot episode, he is called to fix  
>>>> one of two remaining Steinway player pianos, owned by a little old  
>>>> lady in Wellesley.
>>>> 
>>>> In contrast to these kinds of generational stories, there will be  
>>>> stories that highlight young people with cutting edge technology  
>>>> dealing with problems of the present and future. I am hoping I can  
>>>> find some of these stories at MIT.
>>>> 
>>>> Other problems will find their solution through horizontal thinking  
>>>> or cross-disciplinary interaction: A medical supply company invents  
>>>> a remarkable polyethylene thread that is stronger and more flexible  
>>>> than metal - the only problem is that it is inherently slick, and  
>>>> difficult to tie off in an operation. A medical doctor, immersed in  
>>>> knowledge of sailor's knots - devises a unique series of knots that  
>>>> solves the problem.
>>>> 
>>>> I also like it when old technology finds new uses - for example,  
>>>> origami is finding new scientific applications. This kind of problem- 
>>>> solving can be described as "letting dead people solve your problem".
>>>> 
>>>> My hope is that you can alert me to stories that fit the general  
>>>> outline. The Cryptographic voting story is interesting - but seems  
>>>> to take place mainly out of state.
>>>> 
>>>> I look forward to hearing any and all ideas.
>>>> 
>>>> Yours truly,
>>>> DAN MCGUIRE
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ------ End of Forwarded Message
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