Hacker Cinema
PythagoraSwitch
ピタゴラスイッチ
2002 · TV series · 15 min episodes · 11 seasons
PythagoraSwitch is a 15-minute Japanese educational television program by NHK which aired since 2002. It encourages augmenting children's "way of thinking" under the supervision of Masahiko Satō and Masumi Uchino. A five-minute format called PythagoraSwitch Mini is also available. During the beginning, ending, and between each corner, there are Pythagorean Devices. Pythagorean Devices are known in the US as "Rube Goldberg machines", or in Great Britain as "Heath Robinson" contraptions. The main focus of the program is a puppet show, but the subject is mainly advanced by the small corners. World phenomena, principles, characteristics, and the like are introduced in an entertaining way. At the end of each segment "Pitagora Suitchi" is sung as a kind of punchline.
1 positivefrom 1 commenter
Where to watch
No streaming data for this title.
1 comment on Hacker News
I do too. Somewhere Street and PythagoraSwitch are shows my family and I have watched every week for many years. I find Somewhere Street particularly rewarding - we've learned about so many different countries and cities and their people.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/somewhere/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PythagoraSwitch
And in general, watching NHK you get a perspective on things that are entirely missing or lacking in the US (e.g. things that inspire confidence and trust in public institutions, what the government is doing to prepare for natural disasters).
This documentary is really eye-opening about Miyazaki, his creative process, mental state, and the relationship with Studio Ghibli. Depressing, but I thought it was worth watching.