http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/11/attack-of-the-nerds-from-outer-space/ Progressive approaches to science policy Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:54:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/11/attack-of-the-nerds-from-outer-space/comment-page-1/#comment-3592 Martin Richard Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:58:10 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/11/attack-of-the-nerds-from-outer-space/#comment-3592 Just as the best experiments are those that successfully alter one variable while holding others constant, so the best science fiction movies are those that tweak minimal variables and project from there. Those sci-fi movies that do so can be said to be thought experiments of a particularly rich nature. And the particularly rich supercomputer simulations of, say, supernova explosions overlap with science fiction in their visual beauty, appeal, and power; they are science fictions nanostories. Just as the best experiments are those that successfully alter one variable while holding others constant, so the best science fiction movies are those that tweak minimal variables and project from there. Those sci-fi movies that do so can be said to be thought experiments of a particularly rich nature. And the particularly rich supercomputer simulations of, say, supernova explosions overlap with science fiction in their visual beauty, appeal, and power; they are science fictions nanostories.

]]> http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/11/attack-of-the-nerds-from-outer-space/comment-page-1/#comment-3583 Tom Nichols Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:37:11 +0000 http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/11/attack-of-the-nerds-from-outer-space/#comment-3583 Indeed if science were to be better understood our society could finally back away from such ignorant concepts as "human animal hybrids", and other rediculous scare tactics used by the less educated of today. Education is the key, and why not use real science in movies-- and glorify the possible. Indeed if science were to be better understood our society could finally back away from such ignorant concepts as “human animal hybrids”, and other rediculous scare tactics used by the less educated of today. Education is the key, and why not use real science in movies– and glorify the possible.

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