Hosting Improbable TV

Mel says: "Hosting Improbable TV is swell."

Frequently Asked Questions about putting the "Improbable Research Collections" TV series on your web site

What are the Improbable Research videos?

Three-minute videos about research that makes people laugh, then makes them think. (For details see the FAQ for viewers of Improbable TV)

What can this do for my web site?

1. These three-minute videos introduce people to topics that seem bizarre or unlikely. Some of those people, having become suddenly curious, will be keen to see YOUR seriously good introduction to any subject that's even vaguely related.


2. People who enjoy finding the unexpected (including, now and then, unexpected re-appearances of a few favorite characters) just might keep coming back to your site to see the next episodes of Improbable Research.

Can I put copies of them on my web site, and what would that cost me?

Yes, you can. It costs nothing. These episodes have a Creative Commons license (Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/]). We encourage everyone to make and distribute copies, with just a few limitations.

Can I edit the content of an episode?

No.

Can I add my logo, or my own special introduction, to the beginning or end of an episode?

Yes — but ONLY IF you make a special (and simple) arrangement with Improbable Research. Otherwise, no.

Can I add an ad (an advertisement) to an episode?

Yes — but ONLY IF you make a special (and simple) arrangement with Improbable Research. Otherwise, no.

How can my site make a special (and simple) arrangement?

Talk with us! (For contact info, see below.)

How long is each episode, and how often do new ones appear?

Each collection — each episode — is about three minutes long, and tackles several topics. We plan to release a new one every few weeks. And we plan to keep producing new ones for a long, long time.

Why does each episode tell only part of a story (or parts of several stories)?

These videos make people wonder about all these bizarre things. In the tradition of Perils of Pauline, they often leave you hanging at a most intriguing moment. So... how can anyone learn what happens to the people and topics in a particular episode? Through the magic of the Internet, of course. For each episode, we provide (on the Improbable.com web site) a small number of links to the people and subjects. We encourage you to copy those links, or to provide links of your own. And to keep the number of links small — it's better to entice people than to overwhelm them.

Further Questions?

Questions about the videos: Ask Lisa Birk, the Improbable Admin
Questions about anything technical: Ask Julia Lunetta, the Improbable webmaster