Time Dilation in Childrens Cartoon

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around the inclusion of complex equations related to time dilation in a children's cartoon episode focused on time travel. Participants noted that the presence of Lorentz transformations suggests that the animators possess a basic understanding of relativity, which is unusual for children's programming. The conversation highlights the impact of scientific concepts on young viewers and the potential influence of adult audiences who may appreciate these references. Additionally, it was mentioned that David X. Cohen, a physicist and writer for "The Simpsons" and "Futurama," often incorporates relevant scientific equations into his work.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of time dilation and Lorentz transformations
  • Basic knowledge of relativity theory
  • Familiarity with the cultural impact of cartoons on education
  • Awareness of notable figures in animation and their backgrounds, such as David X. Cohen
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the Lorentz transformations in detail
  • Explore the principles of time dilation in physics
  • Investigate the influence of cartoons on children's understanding of science
  • Learn about the contributions of physicists in popular media, focusing on David X. Cohen
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for educators, animators, physicists, and parents interested in the intersection of science and children's media, as well as anyone exploring how complex scientific concepts can be presented in accessible formats.

Mako Ruu
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I was watching a cartoon with my niece.

Most of the time, cartoons have fairly simple things like 1+1=2 and so on.

But this time I saw an equation that looks rather complex.

I made a thread before about this, and tons of people replied.

If I can tell by what's visible, it's an equation for time dilation.

Coincidentally, the episode was about Time Travel. (The Protagonist in the photo, met herself in the beginning of the Episode, with a warning from her Future self getting cut off mid-sentence due to a finite amount of time she could spend in the past.)

Even though it's not important, I thought it was interesting and it would give everyone something to mull over for a few minutes.

Sorry for the poor angle, this was the best one available in the episode.

6Y2Iq.jpg
 
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Hmm, its nice to know that scientific knowledge is at least somewhat spread out amongst the general population.
 
Vorde said:
Hmm, its nice to know that scientific knowledge is at least somewhat spread out amongst the general population.


You call a one-eyed purple unicorn the general population?
 
The point being that the inclusion of the Lorentz transformations implys that someone who probably has no professional scientific experience at all (the animator) knew something about relativity.
 
Yep. Those formulas look like time dilation formulas.
Nice that the formulas kids get to see actually mean something! :smile:

I remember being inspired by cartoons and books.
When things looked as if they might be possible, I wanted to know everything about them.
 
I thought it was funny because one of the animators at least has to know what he or she is doing to chunk out a huge piece of Quantum Mechanics.

Even though I don't have a degree in physics, I'm fairly learned on the many of the various subjects, albeit the more popular ones.

Regardless, I just thought it was funny to see this equation in a television show aimed at children who still drink from sippy cups.

As for Imalooser's post. - She's normally cuter than this. In the show, she gets into various accidents trying to avoid the impending disaster she thinks is coming from the warning of her future self.

>picture is related

50423-_2D00_-happy-screencap-twilight_5F00_sparkle.png
 
I'm just going to leave this here.



Also, one of the writers of the Simpsons and a creator of Futurama, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_X._Cohen , was a physicist. So you see lots of very relevant equations written in the background in the Simpsons.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
VortexLattice said:
I'm just going to leave this here.



Also, one of the writers of the Simpsons and a creator of Futurama, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_X._Cohen , was a physicist. So you see lots of very relevant equations written in the background in the Simpsons.


Everyone knows that Pinkie Pie is a demi god.

It's the only explanation that she's able to do the things that she can do.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Mako Ruu said:
Regardless, I just thought it was funny to see this equation in a television show aimed at children who still drink from sippy cups.

Although, browsing through the web you quickly get the feeling that there are more grown up men watching this show than sippy cup children, so maybe the equations were aimed at them ;)
 
  • #10
Zarqon said:
Although, browsing through the web you quickly get the feeling that there are more grown up men watching this show than sippy cup children, so maybe the equations were aimed at them ;)


Also true, that may very well be the case. One of the animators giving a proverbial "shout out" to the adult males that watch the show. The odds of some of them being physicists is as high as any other profession given how many people watch the show.

(For instance, myself.)
 

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