A Very Arctic Science Tribute to Michael Jackson

Jul
6

Posted by Lisa Jarvis on July 6, 2009 in Uncategorized

I’m finally back from my adventures at the Toolik Field Station in northern Alaska. Rather than formal parting thoughts, it seemed more appropriate to give readers a sense of what environmental scientists do for fun when the nearest watering hole or movie theater is a 350-mile drive down the Dalton Highway. Everybody at camp works incredibly hard (perhaps all universities should simulate midnight sun streaming through their lab windows–it clearly helps to keep students working ’til the wee hours of the morning). But during their few hours of down time, they get incredibly creative. The following video came as a challenge from one summer researcher during Toolik’s “One Glove, One Love,” Michael Jackson tribute party, which incidentally featured a lot of nicely decorated left-handed lab gloves. She asked the reporters that had infiltrated camp why we hadn’t asked the researchers for reaction quotes following MJ’s death. Fair enough. There’s no reason only celebrities should have an opinion. Soon after, she threw down the gauntlet: if the camp puts on their own production of Thriller, would we broadcast it? Well, here’s what happens when you mix scientists, a few reporters, MJ, and the worst mosquito swarm seen on camp during my two weeks at Toolik.

40 Comments on A Very Arctic Science Tribute to Michael Jackson

By sarah on July 6, 2009 at 12:17 pm

Brilliant! How long did they practice to get the zombie walk coordinated? I especially love the fly masks… and fly cameos…

By Mary Ellen Cosentino on July 6, 2009 at 12:26 pm

Everyone in HR loved this!

By Lisa Jarvis on July 6, 2009 at 12:26 pm

So the plan was concocted on a Saturday night, and there were two practices (one well attended, one brief and small) before the actual filming, with some last-minute walk-ons. Full disclosure: some journalists participated… we did practice on the side of the Dalton highway on our drive up to Prudhoe Bay to see the Arctic Ocean. The caribou seemed entertained.

By Carmen Drahl on July 6, 2009 at 3:20 pm

Awesome. The video claims to be the northernmost production of “Thriller”.. how’d they verify that? All I can say is that South Pole-based researchers are gonna have to step it up.

By Lisa Jarvis on July 7, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Well, I’m not sure that claim can be verified. The attitude is if the folks up at Barrow or in Tromso or anywhere else north have organized, take us to task! As for the South Pole, a lot of folks working at Toolik have spent time at McMurdo, our major station in Antarctica, and think they could be up to the task of producing the southernmost production…

By Ashok Kumar Nanjundan on July 7, 2009 at 7:58 pm

Incredible dance moves. Long live the King in our hearts.

By Megan on July 8, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Oh this is great!!! I love all the mosiquitos flying all around and everyone in net gear. Awesome!!! good job everyone!

By An Arctic Tribute to Michael Jackson - PassPorter Community - Message Boards and Forums on July 8, 2009 at 1:43 pm

[...] – a Tribute to Michael Jackson and I got a huge giggle out of it. Take note of the skeeters!!!! A Very Arctic Science Tribute to Michael Jackson at C&ENtral Science __________________ Jennifer / Eeyore is my favorite!! Here we are in Hawaii!!!! Click for Alaska [...]

By RBaldwin on July 8, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Dude! Awesome! We are all connected! Thank you for posting. May your summer be productive. R.

By Linda Casey on July 8, 2009 at 3:52 pm

Bless your hearts! A wonderful tribute to the King of Pop…Alaska style.

By Curtis smith on July 8, 2009 at 4:02 pm

Great job! You guys are not only creative, you’re good!

By Kim on July 8, 2009 at 4:23 pm

By far, THEE BEST TRIBUTE to MJ. A standing ovation to you all, and BRAVO to the brave person who organized, choreographed, and ensured the scientists rehearsed it! As a former dance choreographer to teen girl dance/performance squads (no need to explain further), this was most impressive!

By Jane Brackney on July 8, 2009 at 4:37 pm

From the GI in Fairbanks, you guys ROCK!!!

By Dani on July 8, 2009 at 8:39 pm

I absolutely love this video! Scientists as dancers! Cute, cute cute!

By Sparks on July 8, 2009 at 11:58 pm

Comment from near San Francisco, CA

What a treat. Thanks so much. I remember Michael as a little kid with his brothers. What a great tribute!

By Mandy on July 8, 2009 at 11:59 pm

Nice job – it was fun to watch!

By Arctic Thriller « Alaskan Insider on July 9, 2009 at 12:58 am

[...] Read more about this crazy bunch of Alaskan folks. [...]

By Jean J on July 9, 2009 at 1:04 am

The creative Toolik folks are at it again! This was the best!–no snow, just great zombies, the midnight sun, the moutains and of course the mosquitoes (not flies as someone commented.) Great to see the scientific use of lab gloves, mosquitoe hats and high boots. Brought back lots of memories.

By Jean J on July 9, 2009 at 1:09 am

Typo – should be mosquito without the e

By Bobbi on July 9, 2009 at 8:37 am

what serendipity to recv this link. My brother spent a few seasons up there years back along with his wife, so now I finally know what they were up to! Delightful!

By Karen L Bailey on July 9, 2009 at 8:51 am

he would have loved it!!

By Sandra Boatwright on July 9, 2009 at 11:14 am

Hey folks that was GREAT!

By Scott Mears on July 9, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Fantastic!!! Terrific performance, all while under attack from carnivorous flying creatures…thanks for the smile!

By Suzette Stachow on July 9, 2009 at 1:25 pm

UAF/Civil & Environmental Engineering

I knew you did more than research in the field. You guys can really bust a move. Everyone is trying to moonwalk down the halls of Duckering. BRAVO

By sandy jefko on July 9, 2009 at 1:43 pm

How funny! Alaskans are creative. Glad to see they got their net gear on – the mosquitos are merciless up north!!

By howiesue on July 9, 2009 at 2:02 pm

hilarious! great dance moves! love to see what those crazy grad students get up to in their spare time!

By BBB on July 9, 2009 at 2:06 pm

I hesitated to link to this from my usually serious blog on law and science in the Arctic http://arctic-healy-baker-2008.blogspot.com/2009/07/week-of-july-6-lavrov-and-clinton-to.html, but who could resist? Evidently, not even Nature.com’s blog! : http://blogs.nature.com/news/thegreatbeyond/2009/07/arctic_scientists_in_northernm.html

Keep up the good work and good fun.

By pattyb on July 9, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Wonderful job! I suggest someone send it to Jackson’s kids and let them start learning geography of the north! Who knows what celebrity will finally get people’s attention about northern issues. I love the bugs and the enthusiasm. Who was the most well-versed in the moves so he/she could teach everyone?

By DAV on July 9, 2009 at 8:15 pm

Those mosquitoes are always stealing the center of attention! Great job friends.

By Phyllis Jones on July 10, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Zombie scientists in northern Alaska shakin’ their booties. Now that’s what I call a Chiller Thriller. You are going to be a tough act to follow. Thanks for sharing.

By carol hull on July 10, 2009 at 1:04 pm

this was so like alaskans, go guys

By Kathy Ingallinera on July 10, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Great job – fun to watch and I have been showing it to everyone – we should do a SE version with Xtra-tuffs, etc…

By Wendy pember on July 10, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Wow Fantastic moves by the Northern team …What a beautiful tribute to MJ…..those dance moves are going to catch on. Would now love to see the Antarctic scientists perform a wrap. The Duelling Ice Cappers….The world just got smaller. Thanx MJ,,, cheers Wendy Australia

By Charissa on July 12, 2009 at 1:42 am

This is awesome – I sent it to all of my friends, and family and I also posted it on my Facebook page! Great job – my coworkers and my mom and I laughed till we thought we’d fall off of our chairs!

By sandy see on July 13, 2009 at 2:20 pm

Encore highly desirable. Can you do ‘Beat It’? Watched 8 hrs MJ music videos on BET channel and you guys have the moves. Great performance! MJ would be proud.
OMG, the mosquito action reminds me of the Winged Monkeys in the Wizard of OZ. Stay safe. Sandy See

By Stacey on July 17, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Great Job! I think your ready to take the show on the road. All of you have the moves down, minus the mosquito.

By Kim E on July 17, 2009 at 12:51 pm

This is a riot! Makes one proud to be an Alaskan…

By ASTM D6866 on July 20, 2009 at 10:09 pm

Who says scientists can’t dance? This is a great video, fun to watch. The mosquitoes were definitely good “special effects” in this case.

By The News Is Changing at C&ENtral Science on August 10, 2009 at 12:32 am

[...] or movie theater is a 350-mile drive down the Dalton Highway.” What they did for fun was create a hilarious video tribute to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” and Jarvis’ blog posting linked to a YouTube video of the group [...]

By dawood on December 20, 2009 at 8:24 am

Great!!
Here I’ve tried to collect all notable tributes paid to Michael Jackson by famous peers: http://www.tributespaid.com/tributes-to/michael-jackson