Explore the Science of Sci-Fi: Relativity, Chaos & Superstring Theories

[Ivan Seeking]

Welcome ...

As two professional scientists we thought it would be a good idea to create a website to explore the true science underlying popular science fiction, such as Dr Who, Star Trek and Stargate SG-1. Click on the buttons below for a proper scientific explanation for popular Sci-Fi story lines.[continued]

http://www.scifiscience.co.uk/index.htm

From Astronuc. This gives a very brief introduction to Relativity, Chaos, and Superstring Theories, and a few other Sci-Fi Science concepts.

 

[Danger]

I'm pretty burned-out to try getting technical right now, but I'll for sure be spending a lot of time in this thread once it gets going.

 

[The_Professional]

Ivan, is that Astronuc's homepage?

 

[SOS2008]

Gotta watch Super Volcano on the Discovery Channel right now...geez, the list is getting longer. I want to check out the thread on alternative energy now in general engineering section, and this...(among other things)...

It's not that good...I'm already back to GD.

 

[Telos]

Thank you for the link.

Although I'd much rather have a Sci-Fi show that actually takes science seriously and functions to educate in interesting contexts.

 

[Moonbear]

Thank you for the link.

Although I'd much rather have a Sci-Fi show that actually takes science seriously and functions to educate in interesting contexts.

Wouldn't it then be called a science documentary rather than science fiction?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

They give a very brief summary of the real science behind sci-fi. Also, no, Astronuc ran across this site but wasn't sure where to post it. So he sent it to me.

 

[Danger]

Wouldn't it then be called a science documentary rather than science fiction?

Not if the science is accurate and the circumstances are fictional. You can learn a lot about poisoning from murder mysteries, but it doesn't make them chemistry classes. (Although it didn't go into any real detail, the principle underlying my favourite or second favourite movie is scientifically valid. In fact, you've probably investigated it to some extent. I'm going to put it out to you as a trivia question. Nobody I've asked has ever gotten it. "What's the only science fiction movie in history to win an Oscar for best actor? HINT: It's based upon a novella that became a book before being filmed.)

 

[SOS2008]

Science Fiction is often the basis for science.

 

[Huckleberry]

Take a look at this. I'm not sure there has only been one oscar winner in sf films

http://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/~b2506017/sf/oscar.htm

Huck

 

[Danger]

Take a look at this. I'm not sure there has only been one oscar winner in sf films

http://www.csie.ntu.edu.tw/~b2506017/sf/oscar.htm

Huck

That's cheating, you bum! Trivia questions are meant to test your personal knowledge and associative abilities. You're not allowed to Google during a game of 'Trivial Pursuit'. Anyhow, I did specify the category, and not all of the shows listed there are science fiction. 'Star Wars' for instance is pure fantasy. Likewise, some of the others mentioned should be properly categorized as comedy or horror.

edit: I'm not going to tell anyone whether or not they're right for at least a week.

2nd edit: This isn't a thread-jacking. It's just something to think about.

 

[Huckleberry]

Ahem, Ahem

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0731772/bio

This would be my guess, Cliff Robertson for Charly. The only other option for best actor would be Freidrich March for Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. IT's under Sci-fi in the Oscar list but it could be considered a horror movie. Chemistry can be pretty horrifying.

My first guess, before I looked it up, was Charlton Heston. He was a big actor and Planet of the Apes was a big movie. It could have been a book for all I know. I'm pretty sure books have been made of it, but I don't know if they came before or after the movie.

What was the question?
Huck

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Science Fiction is often the basis for science.

What gets me is how accomplished scientists, especially from NASA, will cite shows like Star Trek [in particular] as an inspiration for their career. There is one scientist that I saw interviewed recently. I don't know his name but he led one of the deep space efforts that used ion propulsion. He can still cite the dialogue from the ST episode that introduced him to the IP concept.

 

[Moonbear]

What gets me is how accomplished scientists, especially from NASA, will cite shows like Star Trek [in particular] as an inspiration for their career. There is one scientist that I saw interviewed recently. I don't know his name but he led one of the deep space efforts that used ion propulsion. He can still cite the dialogue from the ST episode that introduced him to the IP concept.

Well, based on the science fair entries I was judging last weekend, I'd say that in the absence of Star Trek, the next generation of scientists are going to be heavily inspired by CSI! There were a number of "forensics" themed experiments that the kids explained as, "I was watching CSI, and they did this, and I was wondering if it really works." I wonder if the local butchers were puzzled as to why a bunch of kids were suddenly asking for blood.

 

[SOS2008]

What gets me is how accomplished scientists, especially from NASA, will cite shows like Star Trek [in particular] as an inspiration for their career. There is one scientist that I saw interviewed recently. I don't know his name but he led one of the deep space efforts that used ion propulsion. He can still cite the dialogue from the ST episode that introduced him to the IP concept.

Exactly. It's getting late (for me)--I'm trying to think who--but wasn't H.G. Wells an example of this where many concepts of imagination have become reality...?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I wonder if the local butchers were puzzled as to why a bunch of kids were suddenly asking for blood.

No kidding. One might think some cult has moved into town. We had a problem with a small group of Satan worshipers around here for a time. Numerous requests for blood would probably draw some serious attention.

 

[Moonbear]

No kidding. One might think some cult has moved into town. We had a problem with a small group of Satan worshipers around here for a time. Numerous requests for blood would probably draw some serious attention. :biggin:

Big gin huh? Has SOS been slipping you martinis over there too?

(Speaking of green apple martinis...where has Tsu been hiding?)

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Big gin huh? Has SOS been slipping you martinis over there too?

My left index finger left the room for a moment.

(Speaking of green apple martinis...where has Tsu been hiding?)

Stressing over redecorating/remodeling. We have a lot to do between now and September, and she is busy picking colors, paints, cabinets, etc. etc. etc. My turn next. I even have to move the stinking wall!

Also, spring is here. So if she's not at Home Depot or looking at fixtures, she's gardening. So it may be a while yet.

 

[SOS2008]

Big gin huh? Has SOS been slipping you martinis over there too?

Or is Ivan still trying to hide his involvement in the cat shavings...

(Speaking of green apple martinis...where has Tsu been hiding?)

Yeah, where has Tsu been? *hiccup*

 

[SOS2008]

My left index finger left the room for a moment.

...Stressing over redecorating/remodeling. We have a lot to do between now and September, and she is busy picking colors, paints, cabinets, etc. etc. etc. My turn next. I even have to move the stinking wall!

Also, spring is here. So if she's not at Home Depot or looking at fixtures, she's gardening. So it may be a while yet.

Whoohoo! Then it'll be time for a BBQ!

 

[Ivan Seeking]

Funny, we BBQ'd a couple of steaks tonight.

Oh yes, ribeye steaks are running over, gulp, $10 a Lb? I couldn't believe it!

 

[Danger]

Exactly. It's getting late (for me)--I'm trying to think who--but wasn't H.G. Wells an example of this where many concepts of imagination have become reality...?

Wells was more fantasy/socialogical (the Time Machine; the Invisible Man) than scientifically astute. I believe that you're thinking of Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; First Man to the Moon; Around the World in 80 Days). He pretty much invented the nuclear sub.

 

[SOS2008]

Wells was more fantasy/socialogical (the Time Machine; the Invisible Man) than scientifically astute. I believe that you're thinking of Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; First Man to the Moon; Around the World in 80 Days). He pretty much invented the nuclear sub.

Oh thank you! :!) Jules Verne! Even this morning I couldn't think of the name--it was driving me crazy. (Well, crazier...)

 

[The_Professional]

They give a very brief summary of the real science behind sci-fi. Also, no, Astronuc ran across this site but wasn't sure where to post it. So he sent it to me.

They need to redo the page. It looked like a crackpot site

 

[Janus]

Stressing over redecorating/remodeling. We have a lot to do between now and September, and she is busy picking colors, paints, cabinets, etc. etc. etc. My turn next. I even have to move the stinking wall!

I hope you checked to see if it was weight-bearing or not first!
I grew up with this. Until the time I moved out on my own, I never lived in a house (4 in all) that wasn't extensively remodeled or built by my parents (and once I was old enough, with my help).

Move a wall? Mere childs play. I once helped my dad move the whole kitchen!

 

[Danger]

I once helped my dad move the whole kitchen!

You'd'a (hey, there's one for Gale's thread) loved my place. The kitchen and front porch were both nailed on at least 20 years after the core house was built.

 

[Janus]

You'd'a (hey, there's one for Gale's thread) loved my place. The kitchen and front porch were both nailed on at least 20 years after the core house was built.

Oh, I've added on to a house. The kitchen we moved went into what used to be a bedroom (someone else's earlier add-on to the house.). The kitchen became the dining room and the dining room an extension of the living room. This left us a bedroom short, so we added a new addition with a bedroom. The trick with an addition is to make it look as little like an addition as possible. I've seen too many that look like they were just "nailed on".

 

[Moonbear]

Stressing over redecorating/remodeling. We have a lot to do between now and September, and she is busy picking colors, paints, cabinets, etc. etc. etc. My turn next. I even have to move the stinking wall!

Hmmm...I really should get you guys to visit some time. Actually, once I realized my bathroom wall is covered with 1" of concrete and steel mesh (when I needed to adjust the holes ever so slightly to fit the new tub faucets in place, I discovered this), I decided I really don't want to replace the tile on the walls.

 

[Danger]

Hmmm...I really should get you guys to visit some time. Actually, once I realized my bathroom wall is covered with 1" of concrete and steel mesh (when I needed to adjust the holes ever so slightly to fit the new tub faucets in place, I discovered this), I decided I really don't want to replace the tile on the walls.

Why don't you just boil it down to the core issue–you want Ty Pennington to visit you.

edit: Time to go play darts now. Will check in when I get home. Wish me luck, 'cause skill I ain't got. Awww... forget that. I don't believe in luck either. (Damn! It's a lot tougher being an Atheist than most people think.

2nd edit: Who am I kidding? If I weren't resolutely straight, I'd want him to visit. I've only watched a couple of episodes, but it seems to me that they do one hell of a lot more good than one would expect from a TV show. The one last night was only the second one that I've seen, and they had Elton John donate and autograph a piano to a home that adopts HIV-positive kids, and the builder tore up the mortgage. I don't care it the network suits are looking at the profit line... that's flippin' awesome.

****! I have 30 seconds to get to my darts match, and it's a 4 minute walk. Catch you later.

 

[Moonbear]

Why don't you just boil it down to the core issue–you want Ty Pennington to visit you.

Oh, that is so very much a YES! Do you think he's straight? He seems a little too good to be true...hot hot hot and witty and knows how to build stuff and did I mention hot?

 

[Evo]

Oh, that is so very much a YES! Do you think he's straight? He seems a little too good to be true...hot hot hot and witty and knows how to build stuff and did I mention hot?

They spoofed him on Saturday Night Live the other night. I think that's the first SNL I've seen in 3-4 years.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

They need to redo the page. It looked like a crackpot site

I know. I checked and it appears that at least one of the listed owners is a retired physics professor.

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I hope you checked to see if it was weight-bearing or not first!
I grew up with this. Until the time I moved out on my own, I never lived in a house (4 in all) that wasn't extensively remodeled or built by my parents (and once I was old enough, with my help).

Move a wall? Mere childs play. I once helped my dad move the whole kitchen!

I just rip stuff out and see what happens. It's more intersting that way.

Its just a divider wall between the tub and toilet. Unfortunately this house was built with some oddball size [tub] that no one makes anymore. So I get to move the wall a whole 2.5".

 

[Moonbear]

Its just a divider wall between the tub and toilet. Unfortunately this house was built with some oddball size [tub] that no one makes anymore. So I get to move the wall a whole 2.5".

Hey, I think I have the same size tub! I would definitely have to recess a new tub into the wall or move a wall as well. Along with measurements of the stairwell leading up to that bathroom, which seem to suggest a full-sized tub might not be able to make the turn into the stairwell, and the lack of desire to bring a tub in through an enlarged window opening (I keep having images of that Home Improvement episode where they remodeled the bathroom popping into my mind when I think about bringing fixtures in through windows), I think my best bet for getting an updated bathroom is to buy a new house.

 

[franznietzsche]

http://www.scifiscience.co.uk/index.htm

From Astronuc. This gives a very brief introduction to Relativity, Chaos, and Superstring Theories, and a few other Sci-Fi Science concepts.

I love SG-1.

Right up there with Star Trek and The Twilight Zone IMO.

 

[Danger]

(I keep having images of that Home Improvement episode where they remodeled the bathroom popping into my mind when I think about bringing fixtures in through windows)

I used to belong to the Experimental Aircraft Association. One of our members didn't have a garage, so he built his aeroplane in the basement. Guess what he forgot...

 

[The_Professional]

I know. I checked and it appears that at least one of the listed owners is a retired physics professor.

So he's a retired crackpot

 

[Huckleberry]

I used to belong to the Experimental Aircraft Association. One of our members didn't have a garage, so he built his aeroplane in the basement. Guess what he forgot...

His towel?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

So he's a retired crackpot

I didn't see anything that looked offensive. Did you?

Also, I have to wonder, who are you to call him a crackpot?

 

[The_Professional]

I didn't see anything that looked offensive. Did you?

Also, I have to wonder, who are you to call him a crackpot?

I was just kidding. If I put the smilie face after then that would ruin it

 

[Ivan Seeking]

I was just kidding. If I put the smilie face after then that would ruin it

Sorry, I seem to be incapable of sorting our who's joking and who's not lately.

 

[The_Professional]

Sorry, I seem to be incapable of sorting our who's joking and who's not lately.

It was too dry of a joke to get. I have a lot of respect for physicists and scientists.

 

[Danger]

His towel?

You're beginning to worry me, lad...

I seem to be incapable of sorting our who's joking and who's not lately.

I never joke. I like to put lots of smilies on my posts so people will think that I have a sense of humour.
Like that.

 

[The_Professional]

Skinny, aliens naturally have a different sense of humor than us humans. Must be that anti-gravity belt they wear on earth..

 

[Danger]

Skinny, aliens naturally have a different sense of humor than us humans. Must be that anti-gravity belt they wear on earth..

Slender, respected Sir, Slender. Skinny is my second cousin three times removed on my neighbour's side of the family. (He was killed trying to get back in the fourth time.)

 

[Telos]

What gets me is how accomplished scientists, especially from NASA, will cite shows like Star Trek [in particular] as an inspiration for their career. There is one scientist that I saw interviewed recently. I don't know his name but he led one of the deep space efforts that used ion propulsion. He can still cite the dialogue from the ST episode that introduced him to the IP concept.

Well, being inspired and being educated are complementary but very different things. I really want a show to do both.

I know the scientist you're talking about. He worked on the Deep Space 1 probe, and he uses that quote from Star Trek to introduce the probe's ion drive. Spock said something like, "Captain, unknown alien ship ahead, detecting ion drive... very advanced technology." It's an amusingly ironic anecdote, because here we have an actual ion drive, and it's not at all like Star Trek, but it's still really cool.

I just want to see some sci-fi that is more down to this universe.

How many shows have to come and go before one actually gets serious about language barriers? What's so fun about watching a fake super-genius learn a language in a couple minutes? Are people turned off by the nitty gritty? I don't think so. There are ways to make it fun, interesting, and genuinely educational.

It'd probably have to be an entirely new genre.

Social science fiction.

 

[Danger]

How many shows have to come and go before one actually gets serious about language barriers?

The Universal Translator from Trek surely must be the most amazing device ever created. It even works for deaf people. Notice how it alters everyone's facial movements so that they can lip-read in English.

 

[Huckleberry]

And don't forget the babblefish from HGTTG!

"What's the only science fiction movie in history to win an Oscar for best actor? HINT: It's based upon a novella that became a book before being filmed.)

Is it Cliff Robertson from Charly?

 

[Danger]

Is it Cliff Robertson from Charly?

Since only 2 of you answered, (and 1 cheated ) I'll declare you winners. I should have known better than to ask it here. No one, and I do mean absolutely no one outside of the SF/Science community acknowledges that Charly was science fiction. I bet you'll find it in the mainstream drama section of your local video place.

 

[Janus]

Since only 2 of you answered, (and 1 cheated ) I'll declare you winners. I should have known better than to ask it here. No one, and I do mean absolutely no one outside of the SF/Science community acknowledges that Charly was science fiction. I bet you'll find it in the mainstream drama section of your local video place.

That despite the fact that Flowers for Algernon won Daniel Keyes both the Hugo in 1959 for the Short story and the Nebula in 1966 for the Novel.