Stuff the science

Entertainment during lockdown here at Epsom has included mining a rich seam of doomsday films in the hidden depths of Freeview.

With plots which often go along the following lines. Charismatic young scientist, preferably female, prophesises doomsday tomorrow. Doomsday fails to appear. Young scientist loses face and worse. Ten years later, the not quite so young scientist prophesises doomsday tomorrow again. All the fat, rich businessmen are in denial. Often puffing on their big, fat cigars. You were wrong last time and business will carry on this time. Young scientist packed off home. But doomsday does appear on this occasion. Young scientist comes to the rescue, much rushing about in helicopters and speedboats, clutching state of the art laptop, cellphone - or both. Touching vignettes of families on the run. Last minute intervention by stunning new science saves the world.

Often spiced up with tales of secret weapons of mass destruction, the agents of the secret state and government cover ups - US audiences seeming to have a penchant for that sort of thing.

With my being reminded of all this by reports of some Tory grandee saying that we should stuff the science, along with the scientists, and use a bit of common sense.