Ok, first of all, this show is an entertainment show. It's not a scientific show that you watch in science class. If you want that, go watch the weather channel.

Reed is an entertainer. He's also a Stormchaser. It's a great combination for this show and the main reason I watch it. When other little stormchasers are freaking out and trying to get away, Reed is trying to get closer.. and he does. No other chasers I have seen have got the extreme footage / data he has. Hasn't he had MULITPLE probes that have gotten direct contact with a tornado? To those who say he is not commited to the scientific aspect of stormchasing, are data probes directly in a tornado not enough?

...Perhaps the little chasers that like to be a mile away and still are freaking out are more of your type.

Reed is ALWAYS positive.. would you truthfully rather watch a bunch of negative, quiet and reserved, smug old people chase tornadoes, or an upbeat one that ACTUALLY gets the job done.

By the way, saying "Reed is too loud" is a dumb observation. If YOU were within a football field's length a tornado, perhaps you would want your voice to be heard too, It's a bit louder than you know.

My heart goes out to Reed, he's a great chaser and doesn't deserve all this negative energy. He's put his heart and soul into stormchasing and get's the job done, and that to me is the definition of a great chaser.

quote:

Originally posted by Jcalifornia:
Ok, first of all, this show is an entertainment show. It's not a scientific show that you watch in science class. If you want that, go watch the weather channel.

Reed is an entertainer. He's also a Stormchaser. It's a great combination for this show and the main reason I watch it. When other little stormchasers are freaking out and trying to get away, Reed is trying to get closer.. and he does. No other chasers I have seen have got the extreme footage / data he has. Hasn't he had MULITPLE probes that have gotten direct contact with a tornado? To those who say he is not commited to the scientific aspect of stormchasing, are data probes directly in a tornado not enough?

...Perhaps the little chasers that like to be a mile away and still are freaking out are more of your type.

Reed is ALWAYS positive.. would you truthfully rather watch a bunch of negative, quiet and reserved, smug old people chase tornadoes, or an upbeat one that ACTUALLY gets the job done.

By the way, saying "Reed is too loud" is a dumb observation. If YOU were within a football field's length a tornado, perhaps you would want your voice to be heard too, It's a bit louder than you know.

My heart goes out to Reed, he's a great chaser and doesn't deserve all this negative energy. He's put his heart and soul into stormchasing and get's the job done, and that to me is the definition of a great chaser.

Those other chasers "freaking out a mile away" are not in it for being close. They prefer taking photos and video farther away which show better structure and beauty.

Also, Joel and Chris don't scream FWIW.

Reed is the leader of his team. Someone has to be directing.

For example, when Joel used to not ARGUE every freaking time Reed said anything, they got places. Now it seems whenever Reed makes a decision, Joel is there to be negative and waste valuable time.

quote:

Originally posted by Jcalifornia:
Reed is the leader of his team. Someone has to be directing.

For example, when Joel used to not ARGUE every freaking time Reed said anything, they got places. Now it seems whenever Reed makes a decision, Joel is there to be negative and waste valuable time.

This has always been the case.

Editing. ..its a valuable tool.

Reed has his moments as a Meteorologist, however, the shouting demeaner does not make for good leadership. Jumping up and running around does not indicate anything but childhood manorisms. In the fourth episode, the replay from last year showed Reed actually offering help in Mississppi, however he did not stop.
If you have tended to the injured people at the scene of a passing tornado, or have dug out the victim from their smashed house or car and only to find out you could not save them, Reed needs Valium! If you have not worked in the Emergency Services, or have been directly affected by the trauma of a tornado, you only know what the dramatics are on the tv and cannot speak factually on anything about tornados including ths chasing of them. I survived and worked the EF5 Plainfield Illinois Tornado. I have worked the debris of many others. Please educate yourself in compassion and empathy for those victims of those tornados Reed is so boyishly jumping for joy over filming and making money on!

quote:

Originally posted by jreeten:
Reed has his moments as a Meteorologist, however, the shouting demeaner does not make for good leadership. Jumping up and running around does not indicate anything but childhood manorisms. In the fourth episode, the replay from last year showed Reed actually offering help in Mississppi, however he did not stop.
If you have tended to the injured people at the scene of a passing tornado, or have dug out the victim from their smashed house or car and only to find out you could not save them, Reed needs Valium! If you have not worked in the Emergency Services, or have been directly affected by the trauma of a tornado, you only know what the dramatics are on the tv and cannot speak factually on anything about tornados including ths chasing of them. I survived and worked the EF5 Plainfield Illinois Tornado. I have worked the debris of many others. Please educate yourself in compassion and empathy for those victims of those tornados Reed is so boyishly jumping for joy over filming and making money on!

I recall watching an episode where Reed offered help to tornado victims, then he and his team were seen helping to clear debris to get to people, they also directed traffic on a couple of occasions. Just because they don't show an hour of Reed helping people every week, doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Reed is quite excitable, but don't confuse that with lacking compassion, he loves chasing tornadoes but has no desire to ever see them close to populated areas, the guy looked pretty distraught that time when he realised the tornado they were chasing was heading for Greensburg.

I say give the guy a break.

quote:

Originally posted by jreeten:
In the fourth episode, the replay from last year showed Reed actually offering help in Mississppi, however he did not stop.

If you had watched last year, you would have seen that he/they did stop and help. Also, he wasn't the one driving,but they stopped at a safe place. As a matter of fact, they stopped chasing that day to help. I am not a huge Reed fan, but I had to correct this mis-representation of facts. Also in that episode he explained how part of being a storm chaser is helping in these situations and how they are trained in first-aid and CPR so if medical help is needed they can help!
Also, all of the crews are excited about seeing a tornado, not just Reed's crew. The fact is, tornados are going to happen whether anyone is there to see them or not, might as well get some good data and/or pictures.

Just go to his web page and see what is more important to him, science or self promotion. It isn't science. That stupid Lexus advertisment really has me angry because it hangs on his radar that he finally put on his "dominator".
Just who is he giving that dats to anyway?

quote:

Originally posted by rwmacevoy:
Just go to his web page and see what is more important to him, science or self promotion. It isn't science. That stupid Lexus advertisment really has me angry because it hangs on his radar that he finally put on his "dominator".
Just who is he giving that dats to anyway?

I think it's a sad testament to Discovery that we get more of a behind the scenes look at the show in a Lexus commercial than we do from the show itself.

quote:

Originally posted by rwmacevoy:
Just go to his web page and see what is more important to him, science or self promotion. It isn't science. That stupid Lexus advertisment really has me angry because it hangs on his radar that he finally put on his "dominator".
Just who is he giving that dats to anyway?

Storm chasing is an expensive hobby, you can't really blame the guy for trying to make a living out of it so that he can afford to continue chasing storms. In fairness who wouldn't want to make money doing the thing they loved most? If that means a little self promotion and less science on your own website, then I'd say thats a pretty small price to pay.

Reed is going to be around for a long time, and if this is the beginning of his 'extreme' research, then we have a lot to look forward to. I agree with wingman, you can;t blame him for trying to support his passion. There is no such thing as a free lunch! Go Reed!

quote:

Originally posted by Wingman S:
Storm chasing is an expensive hobby, you can't really blame the guy for trying to make a living out of it so that he can afford to continue chasing storms. In fairness who wouldn't want to make money doing the thing they loved most? If that means a little self promotion and less science on your own website, then I'd say thats a pretty small price to pay.

No, no, no... Reed should be like all the professional athletes who play their respective sport for free because they love the game.

Making money is not allowed.

quote:

Originally posted by Stereodude:

quote:

Originally posted by Wingman S:
Storm chasing is an expensive hobby, you can't really blame the guy for trying to make a living out of it so that he can afford to continue chasing storms. In fairness who wouldn't want to make money doing the thing they loved most? If that means a little self promotion and less science on your own website, then I'd say thats a pretty small price to pay.

No, no, no... Reed should be like all the professional athletes who play their respective sport for free because they love the game.

Making money is not allowed.

Reed Timmer is a PHD candidate in Meteorology. In last year's series, Reed was a minor player. This year he is the lead because Dr. Wurman, who for the previous 2 seasons was the lead chaser, was otherwise occupied with Vortex 2. Most of the air time for that went to the Weather Channel. And, for much of this spring, there was very little bad weather with tornado possibilities. (Look folks, its a sunspot minimum. If you want spectacular heating during the usual tornado season, sunspots and the energy they send Earth's way is a definite assist.)

As for Reed's excitement when he is seeing a tornado- a force of nature like a tornado IS exciting, and does cause an adrenaline rush. All part of the 'fight or flight' aspect of self preservation hardwired into most people.

This year, Reed has matured from chasing and providing tornado tape to local new stations to doing some really good hard science. Last year, his probe got good footage when it was 'run over' by a tornado. This year he has invested $50 thousand into his radar to document the severe updrafts he saw last year when a tornado uprooted trees- not by the spinning tornado vortice but by yanking the trees straight up. This Sunday (tomorrow) he will be shown using a small remote controlled airplane to drop probes. what probes? I don't know, we'll all just have to see tomorrow.

Reed and Joels' disagreement? Joel said on camera that he chases as a hobby; if a tornado isn't a sure thing, he will be home. He evidently missed several chases due to his job (not sure what that is, but bosses DO frown when an employee doesn't come to work). With the stress of buying a $50thousand dollar piece of equipment on Reed's shoulders- and the worry that he may have bought something too expensive that might not get the data he needs- Reed really HAD to take any opportunity to chase.

Speaking of the Expen$ive radar, I notice that the radar tech rep in the 1st chase with the new radar was not in last week's subsequent episode. I think that 1st chase- when he found himself in the Dominator INSIDE the tornado was just maybe a bit more than he had expected to be in for.

If Storm Chasers is taped again next tornado season, do I think Reed will again be the main character? No. ONE of the main characters, sure. I think Dr. Wurman will go back to being the lead; he is THE expert. Vortex2, with its dozen DOWS, many PHDs and grad students was a multimillion dollar federally sponsored one time event- esp. in the current economy. Which means Dr. Wurman and his lone DOW will likely be out chasing with just their team of probe and support folks next season. Reed will be needed as an independent counterpoint- just as he was last year. TV thrives on personalities- we like to think we know the people. It does provide a good format for us to learn about storms- inflow tails, roll clouds, Rear Flank Downdrafts, rain wrapping, etc.

I wish the last episode of the series would be an explanation of some storm data. OK, it takes months to do that. And, until data has been not only analyzed but also published, we won't hear about it. So... they could tell us a bit about what they learned last year, and what they hope they can confirm with the data we have just seen them gathering this year.

As for the sensitivity to the damage tornadoes cause to both property, lives, and people, I have seen all of the chasers on this series, Dr. Wurman, Sean, and Reed (as well as the other support folks) humbled at the sight of the damage.

Where I live have had tornadoes (3 in Feb 08, and 2 in May 09) here IN The CITY! Not out in farmland, In 08 we had 8 dead, several casualties. This year, nobody got hurt- which we don't understand, but are profoundly grateful to Providence for. (After hitting a shopping center- vanishing a gas station- the 1st tornado went out onto a golf course. The 2nd tornado shredded a subdivision- and then went out onto a different golf course!! FORE!!!)

Meanwhile, I am fasinated with the numbers of kinds of probes. Dr. Wurman's larger ones with the annomometers spinning on the top, Reed's that is just a camera- but What A Shot!!, and Tim's 'turtle probe' that gets all the wind, pressure, etc. data as well as a 360 degree camera view of the tornado as the twister goes through/ or over the probe.

only one real issue with your post....vortex 2 is supposed to go out again in 2010. So its doubtful Josh will be out with his dow on his own.

As for your take on reed and his maturity...I'm going to disagree. What he's done is what anyone with half a brain would have done in his position.

Many people have criticized Reed for his motives while chasing. Its been said by many that he's dangerous and isn't in it for the science. Reed is simply smart enough to go out and find reasons to justify his behavior. The Radar to measure updrafts...a reason to get close. The armored tahoe, a way to go after his safety critics. The plane, more added science (my friend is very upset that Reed "stole" his idea, he's a future chaser and currently a pilot)

As for Reed's excitement, if the force of nature was that exciting, then more people than just Reed and his lackey would be going nuts, and they aren't.

quote:

Originally posted by skywrnchsr509:
only one real issue with your post....vortex 2 is supposed to go out again in 2010. So its doubtful Josh will be out with his dow on his own.

As for your take on reed and his maturity...I'm going to disagree. What he's done is what anyone with half a brain would have done in his position.

Many people have criticized Reed for his motives while chasing. Its been said by many that he's dangerous and isn't in it for the science. Reed is simply smart enough to go out and find reasons to justify his behavior. The Radar to measure updrafts...a reason to get close. The armored tahoe, a way to go after his safety critics. The plane, more added science (my friend is very upset that Reed "stole" his idea, he's a future chaser and currently a pilot)

As for Reed's excitement, if the force of nature was that exciting, then more people than just Reed and his lackey would be going nuts, and they aren't.

**********************************************
Delighted to hear that Vortex2 will be going out in 2010!

If you are saying that Reed is an adrenaline junkie when he goes out storm chasing, I'd heartily agree. But, as seen in that traffic jam in the ep last Sunday, there are LOTS of those. Reed has taken his avocation, invested several years in the formal university level study of meteorology, and is beginning to pay back with data. As for him copying the TIV, his Dominator is both a nod to the vehicle envy he had last year, and acknowledging that Sean had an idea worth making use of. The sincerest form of flattery, although Sean apparently didn't see it that way...

As for the remote controlled airplane, that idea began in WWII, and is currently being used in the Predators, etc. by several of the world's air forces. (Not just the U.S.) Reed is hardly the first, except, apparently with tornadoes. I also have a pilot's license, and loved to fly before it got prohibitively expen$ive; I can empathize with your friend.

The way I see Reed is pretty much the same way I see 'extreme' sports figures. Some of those take a helicopter ride to the top of a mountain, and then ski down, sometimes taking jumps from ledges and falling hundreds of feet. These people have an unusual brain chemistry, a high level of MAOI. They are inherent risk takers. The skiers have learned (mostly unintentionally) a lot about avalanches. Extreme mountain climbers have developed techniques which are now also used by more conservative climbers, archaeologists, geologists, and mountain rescue teams. Reed will acquire valuable data for more grounded scientists to learn from. Do I think his methods are sensible? No. So far he has been in fairly 'clean' tornadoes in that they haven't contained (or at least hit him with) dangerous debris. The F3 he was in was capable of having, say an airborne car in it, or large chunk of a substantial structure. If that had hit the Dominator or TIV it would have smashed it like a bug. If they keep it up, well, no matter how long the odds are in any one storm, its like buying a lottery ticket. Even when the odds are millions to one, somebody always wins the lottery, even when nobody wants the 'prize'. Yes, I believe somebody in an armored vehicle will likely get killed. I also believe that there are people who just have to live on the edge. At least Reed is making his adrenaline rush count for something. To me, that is far more respectable than base jumping, bungee jumping, or other equally lethal, but non productive risk taking. At worst, at least he calls tornado sightings into local law enforcement. Which might save a few lives. Maybe even one of ours.