Nerdcore

In the future, will science be cooler than rock 'n' roll?

by Holly Otterbein

Elizabeth Jane Cole

[ think tank ]

When I reach Scott Beibin over the phone, he's acting like a rock star. He's in Europe, telling me about the Fusion Festival he's headed to, the eco village in Barcelona he just got back from, and the fantastic nude beach he swam at yesterday.

The thing is, he's not a rock star. A much better description would be "artsy scientist" or even simply "nerd from West Philly." Beibin, however, doesn't believe there's a big difference between the two. In fact, his multimedia show, Scientists Are the New Rock Stars, argues that science will soon be on the top of the pop-culture totem pole — even above The Beatles.

Scott Beibin: It came from my belief that market capitalism — by allowing itself to partner with an open forum such as the Internet — basically committed suicide. So, soon, big companies won't be able to maintain their rock-star-making, king-making abilities, and they won't be able to stop people from finding oppressed technology like solar energy or electric cars. I think this'll lead to young people being interested in science the way they're now interested in the arts and entertainment.

CP : What exactly do you mean by a "multimedia show"?

SB: I'm going to show clips of the documentaries I've made about scientists I admire, and talk about my experiences in person. Also, as the show develops, I think we'll have guest speakers and examples of new technology, like this projector that runs on bike power and also makes smoothies.

CP: Why smoothies?

SB: Well, I need to promote health, too.

CP: Who are some of today's rock star scientists?

SB: There are so many — there are these Swiss guys who hack into $5 Webcams to make microscopes. People doing experimental psychology. This woman who made an environmental health clinic in the East River, with junk Plexiglas and soda bottles glued to the bottom of it. I'll also have clips that show people how to do things, like one ... describing how to make a DIY windmill.

CP: So rock star scientists are those with a hacker mentality. Why do you think hacking has become so popular?

SB: I think market capitalism's illusions have just reached a critical mass. And now, finally, people are realizing they can take an active role in the world.

(holly.otterbein@citypaper.net)

SCIENTISTS ARE THE NEW ROCK STARS Wed., July 8, 7 p.m., $5, Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 215-739-9684, johnnybrendas.com