[VA3FXP]

I had a brain tumor removed in 1990 (epilepsy sucks). I was awake for the entire procedure (12hrs). And spoke with the doctor and nursing staff while it was going on.

My only regret was not asking for a mirror so that I could watch.

Many years ago TLC (before it degraded into trash) had an excellent show called "The Operation" where it would show EVERYTHING that happened during a medical procedure. (From a teaching hospital) It was incredible to watch and very educational.

[shas3]

Mirror in brain surgery reminds me of Ted Chiang's (he's been mentioned on HN a fair bit of late) story Exhalation http://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/exhalation/

[rl3]

>Many years ago TLC (before it degraded into trash) ...

That's an understatement. In fact, the comparison is actually unfair to trash.

>... an excellent show called "The Operation" where it would show EVERYTHING that happened during a medical procedure ...

I don't see why TLC couldn't air a similar show today. They could just focus on the human element, which is to say drama that's either completely scripted and/or manufactured via editing in post.

Gore would be completely off the table though. The average viewer just wouldn't be able to enjoy their super-sized soft drink watching that.

>It was incredible to watch and very educational.

Network executives at Discovery have most likely since instituted an organization-wide ban of the word "educational" on general principle.

[aero142]

I feel like complaints about certain shows going away are under-appreciating how much youtube and podcasts have changed the demand side. You can watch all the surgeries you want on youtube without waiting for it to show up on the TLC broadcast schedule. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1t15SOrkc7E

I find podcasts today to be way better today than any "educational" tv shows ever were.

[rl3]

That's a very good point.

It's worth noting however that reality television predates YouTube. That's not to say there weren't still alternatives back then, but when comparing the two mediums I think it at least constitutes a small dark age of sorts.

[cm2012]

Your condescension for the average viewer is pretty palpable.

[rl3]

It is, in context of the average TLC viewer. TLC is the same network that aired Here Comes Honey Boo Boo for four seasons. Something had to drive those ratings.

Granted, I loathe executives that peddle the trash far more. There's something morally bankrupt about it, especially considering viewership can be in the millions. It's analogous to a software company with zero regard for craftsmanship; kicking garbage out the door because they know it'll sell.