David and Bryn Oh with their three kids on Santa Monica Beach
Today NPR’s “All Things Considered” provided yet another example of media innumeracy, time version. The story was about various scientists on the Mars Curiosity project adjusting their activities to conform to the Martian day (about 40 minutes longer than Earth’s). Host Melissa Block interviewed David and Bryn Oh about this. She noted that the interview was being taped at 10 am. Bryn replied that in their house it was 10 pm. David added that the family would be heading for bed immediately after the interview. Ms. Block then responded, “If I’ve figured this right for about the last three weeks you’ve added nearly 40 minutes to your clock every day, so you’re now, oh, just about half a day off, right? You’re at the peak of your upside-downness.”
Let’s see. 10 am – 10 pm. Ms. Block is sure no rocket scientist.