Exploring Science Through Science Fiction (eBook)
XXIII, 335 Seiten
Springer International Publishing (Verlag)
978-3-030-29393-2 (ISBN)
How does Einstein's description of space and time compare with Doctor Who? Can James Bond really escape from an armor-plated railroad car by cutting through the floor with a laser concealed in a wristwatch? What would it take to create a fully intelligent android, such as Star Trek's Commander Data?
Exploring Science Through Science Fiction addresses these and other intriguing questions, using science fiction as a springboard for discussing fundamental science concepts and cutting-edge science research. It includes references to original research papers, landmark scientific publications and technical documents, as well as a broad range of science literature at a more popular level.
The revised second edition includes expanded discussions on topics such as gravitational waves and black holes, machine learning and quantum computing, gene editing, and more. In all, the second edition now features over 220 references to specific scenes in more than 160 sci-fi movies and TV episodes, spanning over 100 years of cinematic history.
'This journey from science fiction to science fact provides an engaging and surprisingly approachable read...' (Jen Jenkins, Journal of Science Fiction, Vol. 2 (1), September 2017)
Barry Luokkala is a teaching professor and director of undergraduate laboratories in the department of physics at Carnegie Mellon University. He received his BS and MS degrees in physics at the University of Pittsburgh, where he did experimental research in the physics and chemistry of the ionosphere. He received his PhD in experimental condensed matter physics at Carnegie Mellon University. He has also served as program director for the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the sciences and has been a science consultant for the Sloan Foundation Screenplay Competition in Carnegie Mellon's School of Drama.
Preface to the First Edition 7
Content and Scope 7
The Approach 8
Plausibility Checks and Quantitative Estimations 9
Movie, TV, and YouTube References 9
How to Use This Book 10
Acknowledgments 10
Preface to the Second Edition 15
Contents 17
About the Author 23
Chapter 1: Introduction: Discerning the Real, the Possible, and the Impossible 24
1.1 The First Sci-Fi Movie 25
1.2 Exploring the Science in Le Voyage dans la Lune 27
1.2.1 Motion with Uniform Acceleration 27
1.2.2 Imagining Human Exploration of the Moon 30
1.3 The First Literary Work of Science Fiction 31
1.4 Reference Frames, Revisited 32
1.5 Roadmap to the Rest of the Book 34
References 35
Chapter 2: What Is the Nature of Space and Time? (The Physics of Space Travel and Time Travel) 36
2.1 Changing Perspectives Through History 36
2.2 Classical Physics: Newton’s Laws 37
2.2.1 Illustration of Newton’s First Law of Motion (Changing an Object’s State of Motion Requires an External Force) 39
2.2.2 Illustration of Newton’s Second Law of Motion (F = ma) and the Law of Gravity 40
2.2.3 Illustrations of Newton’s Third Law of Motion (Action-Reaction) 42
2.2.4 Applications of Newton’s Laws 43
2.2.5 The Validity of Newton’s Laws of Motion 48
2.3 Modern Physics: Einstein and Relativity 49
2.3.1 Special Relativity and Time Dilation 51
2.3.2 General Relativity and Distortion of Spacetime 55
2.3.3 Black Holes 58
2.3.4 Gravitational Waves 62
2.3.5 Warp Drive: Faster Than Light, But Not Faster Than Light 65
2.4 “Future Physics”: Stephen Hawking, Wormholes, and Quantum Gravity 66
2.4.1 Reports of Faster-Than-Light Particles and Theories of Quantum Gravity 67
2.4.2 Wormholes 67
2.5 Loopholes for Time Travel into the Past? 69
2.6 The Multiverse Hypothesis 72
2.7 Exploration Topics 73
References 75
Changing Perspectives Through History 76
Classical Physics: Newton’s Laws 76
Modern Physics: Einstein and Relativity 76
“Future Physics”: Stephen Hawking, Wormholes, and Quantum Gravity 78
Loopholes for Time Travel into the Past? 78
The Multiverse Hypothesis 79
Chapter 3: What Is the Universe Made of? (Matter, Energy, and Interactions) 80
3.1 The Standard Model of Particle Physics 80
3.1.1 Fermions: The Fundamental Particles of Matter 82
3.1.2 Bosons: The Force-Communicator Particles of the Standard Model 83
3.1.3 The Mystery of Mass and the Higgs Boson 85
3.2 Beyond the Standard Model: Dark Matter and Dark Energy 85
3.2.1 Dark Matter 86
3.2.2 Dark Energy 86
3.3 The Atomic Nucleus: Protons, Neutrons, Isotopes, and Radioactivity 87
3.4 Gases 89
3.4.1 The Micrometeoroid Air-Leak Scene in Mission to Mars 89
3.4.2 Air Leak on the International Space Station 94
3.4.3 Explosive Decompression 94
3.5 Liquids 95
3.6 Solid State Materials 97
3.6.1 Density of Solids 99
3.7 Phase Transitions 100
3.8 Transparency and Invisibility: Optical Properties of Solids 106
3.8.1 Transparent Solids 106
3.8.2 Camouflage 109
3.8.3 Stealth Technology 109
3.8.4 Metamaterials and Cloaking 110
3.9 Magnetic Materials 112
3.10 Energy and Power 114
3.10.1 Kinetic and Potential Energy 114
3.10.2 Chemical Energy 118
3.10.3 Distinguishing between Power and Energy 119
3.10.4 Nuclear Energy 120
3.10.5 Matter–Antimatter Annihilation 122
3.11 Exploration Topics 123
References 128
The Standard Model of Particle Physics 128
Beyond the Standard Model 128
The Atomic Nucleus 128
Gases 129
Solid State Materials 129
Phase Transitions 129
Transparency and Invisibility 129
Energy and Power 130
Chapter 4: Can a Machine Become Self-Aware? (The Sciences of Computing and Cognition) 131
4.1 Information Storage 132
4.2 Analog Calculating Devices 137
4.2.1 The First “Computers” 138
4.3 Digital Computers 139
4.3.1 Precision of Calculations 140
4.3.2 Moore’s Law and Processor Speed 140
4.3.3 Parallel Processing 143
4.3.4 Machine Learning 143
4.4 Beyond Digital Computers 145
4.4.1 Quantum Computing 145
4.5 The Human Brain as an Information Storage and Processing System 146
4.6 Intelligent Robots 149
4.6.1 Robot Hall of Fame 151
4.6.2 The Turing Test 151
4.6.3 Human–Computer Interactions: Beyond the Turing Test 152
4.7 Robot Behavior 153
4.8 Toward the Creation of Artificial Consciousness 156
4.8.1 Hard AI and Consciousness Transfer 158
4.9 Ethical Treatment of Sentient Machines, or How to Avoid a Robot Rebellion 159
4.10 Exploration Topics 160
References 163
Information Storage 163
Analog Calculating Devices and the First “Computers” 163
Digital Computers 163
Machine Learning 164
Beyond Digital Computers 164
The Human Brain as an Information Storage and Processing System 164
Intelligent Robots 165
The Turing Test 165
Human–Computer Interactions: Beyond the Turing Test 165
Robot Behavior 165
Artificial Consciousness 165
Ethical Treatment of Sentient Machines 166
Chapter 5: Are We Alone in the Universe? (The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) 167
5.1 Major Considerations 168
5.2 Human Spaceflight Initiatives: Government Agency or Private Industry? 169
5.3 Searching for Signs of Extraterrestrial Intelligence 171
5.3.1 The Drake Equation and the SETI Project 171
5.4 Finding Planet in Other Star Systems 173
5.4.1 Transit Anomalies 174
5.5 Conditions Necessary for Intelligent Life to Arise 175
5.5.1 The Origin and Diversity of Life on Earth 176
5.6 Cinema and the Science of the SETI Project 177
5.7 First Contact 181
5.7.1 How Will We Communicate? 183
5.8 Exploration Topics 184
References 187
Major Considerations 187
Human Spaceflight Initiatives 187
Searching for Signs of Extraterrestrial Intelligence 187
Finding Planets in Other Star Systems 187
Conditions Necessary for Intelligent Life to Arise 187
Cinema and the Science of the SETI Project 188
First Contact 188
Chapter 6: What Does It Mean to Be Human? (Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, and Other Considerations) 189
6.1 What Can We Learn from “Frankenstein” About What It Means to Be Human? 189
6.1.1 Longing for Relationship 191
6.1.2 Inspiring Young Minds to Pursue Scientific Careers 191
6.1.3 Scientific Hubris and the God Complex of the Mad Scientist 192
6.1.4 Dangerous Medicine 192
6.2 Humans as Bodies with Replaceable Parts 192
6.3 Resistance to Disease 195
6.3.1 The Basic Reproduction Number (R0) and the Spread of Infectious Diseases 196
6.4 Cell Structure and Radiation Damage 198
6.4.1 Detection of Ionizing Radiation 199
6.4.2 Biological Effects of Exposure to Ionizing Radiation 200
6.4.3 UV Radiation and Skin Cancer 203
6.5 DNA and the Human Genome 204
6.5.1 DNA Sequencing and Genetic Engineering 208
6.5.2 Gene Editing 209
6.6 Cloning 211
6.7 Human Teleportation: A Complex, Interdisciplinary Problem 212
6.7.1 The Problem of Duplication 212
6.7.2 Getting All the + and ? Signs in the Right Place 213
6.7.3 The Uncertainty Principle: Limitations on Precision of Quantum Measurement 214
6.8 Teleportation Estimations 215
6.9 Beyond Biology 216
6.10 What Can We Learn from an Android About What It Means to Be Human? 217
6.11 Exploration Topics 219
References 222
Introduction: Being Human 222
What Can We Learn from “Frankenstein” About What It Means to Be Human? 222
Bodies with Replaceable Parts 223
Resistance to Disease 223
Cell Structure and Radiation Damage 224
DNA and the Human Genome 224
Cloning 225
Human Teleportation 225
Beyond Biology 225
What Can We Learn from an Android About What It Means to Be Human? 226
Chapter 7: How Can We Solve Our Problems? (Science, Technology, and Society) 227
7.1 Public Perception of Science and Scientists 228
7.1.1 Science as Obsession 228
7.1.2 Science and Arrogance 229
7.1.3 Science as an Act of Futility 229
7.1.4 The Model Scientist 230
7.2 Methodology of Science 231
7.2.1 Some Sci-Fi Illustrations of the Scientific Method 231
7.3 Reasonable Uses of Science to Solve Our Problems 232
7.3.1 How Can We Stop a Robot Invasion? 233
7.3.2 How Can We Feed the Hungry? 234
7.3.3 How Can We Conserve Our Natural Resources? 235
7.3.4 How Can We Provide Better Healthcare? 236
7.4 Misplaced Faith in Science 237
7.5 Misunderstanding of Science 238
7.5.1 Can “Psychic Powers” Be Tested? 238
7.5.2 On the Healing Powers of Phoenix Tears 240
7.5.3 How Can We Enhance Our National Security? 242
7.5.4 How Can We Prevent the Miscarriage of Justice? 244
7.5.5 How Can We Increase Public Awareness of Science? 245
7.6 How Can We Know What Is Real? 247
7.6.1 Is Soylent Green Really Made from “High-Energy Plankton”? 247
7.6.2 Are Potato Chips Better for You If They Are “Scientifically Processed”? 248
7.6.3 Is Sugar Just as Good If It Comes from Corn? 250
7.6.4 Does a Cleansing Solution Work Better If It Contains Micelles? 251
7.6.5 Non Sequitur 253
7.6.6 What Is “Real”? 255
7.7 Exploration Topics 256
References 258
Public Perception of Science 258
Methodology of Science 259
Reasonable Uses of Science to Solve Our Problems 259
Misplaced Faith in Science 259
Misunderstanding of Science 259
How Can We Know What Is Real? 260
Chapter 8: What Lies Ahead? (The Future of Our Technological Society) 261
8.1 Accurate Predictions 261
8.1.1 Space and Time 262
8.1.2 Matter and Energy 262
8.1.3 Computing and Robotics 263
8.1.4 Planets in Other Star Systems 264
8.1.5 Biomedical Technology 265
8.1.6 Communication Technology 265
8.1.7 Brain–Computer Interfacing 267
8.1.8 Cybernetic Devices 267
8.2 Coming Soon: Possibilities for the Not-Too-Distant Future 268
8.2.1 Space Exploration 268
8.2.2 Dark Matter and Dark Energy 269
8.2.3 Real Adaptive Camouflage 270
8.2.4 Self-Healing Electrical Circuits 270
8.2.5 Room-Temperature Superconductivity 270
8.2.6 Quantum Computers 271
8.2.7 Robots in the Home 271
8.2.8 Artificial Heart 272
8.3 Science Fiction in Historical Context 272
8.3.1 The Island of Dr. Moreau 272
8.3.2 The War of the Worlds 272
8.3.3 The Day the Earth Stood Still 273
8.4 Visions of the Future 275
8.4.1 Defining Culture in Terms of Technology 275
8.4.2 Social Divisions 276
8.4.3 Technophiles and Technophobes 276
8.4.4 Turning Over Too Much Control to Technology 277
8.4.5 The Rise of AI 278
8.4.6 What Is Real? 278
8.4.7 Global Climate Change 280
8.4.8 Sentient VR Characters 281
8.4.9 Civilization Destroyed by Its Own Technology 281
8.5 Responsible Technology 282
8.6 Exploration Topics 282
References 284
Accurate Predictions 284
Coming Soon 285
Science Fiction in Historical Context 286
Visions of the Future 286
Appendix A: Catalog of Movies Cited 288
Absolute Zero (Robert Lee, Marvista Entertainment 2006) 288
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (Steven Spielberg, Warner Brothers 2001) 289
Alien (Ridley Scott, Twentieth Century Fox 1979) 289
The Andromeda Strain (Robert Wise, Universal 1971) 289
An Honest Liar (Justin Weinstein and Tyler Measom, Film Flam Films 2014) 290
Angels and Demons (Ron Howard, Columbia Pictures 2009) 290
Arrival (Denis Villeneuve, Xenolinguistics 2016) 290
Back to the Future (Robert Zemeckis, Universal 1985) 290
Bicentennial Man (Chris Columbus, Columbia Pictures 1999) 290
Big Hero 6 (Don Hall, Chris Williams, Disney 2014) 291
The Black Hole (Gary Nelson, Walt Disney Productions 1979) 291
The Black Hole (Tibor Takacs, Equity Pictures (Made for Television) 2005) 291
Black Panther (Ryan Coogler, Marvel Studios 2018) 291
Blade Runner (Ridley Scott, Warner Brothers 1982, Director’s Cut 2007) 291
The Butterfly Effect (Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber, New Line Cinema 2004) 292
Caprica (Jeffrey Reiner, Universal Studios 2009) 292
Chappie (Neill Blomkamp, Columbia Pictures 2015) 292
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Steven Spielberg, Columbia Pictures 1977) 292
Colossus the Forbin Project (Joseph Sargent, Universal 1970) 293
Contact (Robert Zemeckis, Warner Brothers 1997) 293
Contagion (Steven Soderbergh, Warner Brothers 2011) 293
The Creature from the Black Lagoon (Jack Arnold, Universal 1954) 293
The Day the Earth Caught Fire (Val Guest, British Lion Films 1961) 294
The Day the Earth Stood Still (Robert Wise, Twentieth Century Fox 1951) 294
The Day the Earth Stood Still (Scott Derrickson, Twentieth Century Fox 2008) 294
Despicable Me (Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, Universal 2010) 294
Destination Moon (Irving Pitchel, George Pal Production 1950) 295
Die Another Day (Lee Tamahori, MGM 2002) 295
Donnie Darko (Richard Kelley, Twentieth Century Fox 2004) 295
Dune (David Lynch, Universal 1984) 295
Eagle Eye (D.J. Caruso, DreamWorks 2008) 295
Elysium (Neill Blomkamp, Tristar 2013) 296
E.T. (Steven Spielberg, Universal 1982) 296
Ex Machina (Alex Garland, Universal 2014) 296
The Fly (Kurt Neumann, Twentieth Century Fox 1958) 296
Forbidden Planet (Fred McLeod Wilcox, MGM 1956) 296
For Your Eyes Only (John Glen, MGM 1981) 297
Frankenstein (James Whale, Universal Studios 1931) 297
Frau im Mond (Woman in the Moon) (Fritz Lang, UFA 1929) 297
Frequency (Gregory Hoblit, New Line 2000) 298
GATTACA (Andrew Niccol, Columbia Pictures 1997) 298
Godzilla (Roland Emmerich, Columbia Tristar 1998) 298
Goldeneye (Martin Campbell, United Artists 1995) 298
Goldfinger (Guy Hamilton, United Artists 1964) 299
Gravity (Alfonso Cuaron, Warner Brothers 2013) 299
The Hands of Orlac (Robert Wiene, Berolina Film GmbH 1924) 299
The Happening (M. Night Shyamalan, Twentieth Century Fox 2008) 299
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Chris Columbus, Warner Brothers 2001) 300
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Chris Columbus, Warner Brothers 2002) 300
Hidden Figures (Theodore Melfi, Twentieth Century Fox, 2016) 300
Hollow Man (Paul Verhoeven, Columbia Pictures 2000) 300
Hugo (Martin Scorsese, Paramount 2011) 301
I am Legend (Francis Lawrence, Warner Brothers 2007) 301
The Illustrated Man (Jack Smight, Warner Brothers 1969) 301
The Imitation Game (Morten Tyldum, Anchor Bay 2014) 301
I, Robot (Alex Proyas, Twentieth Century Fox 2004) 301
Independence Day (Roland Emmerich, Twentieth Century Fox 1996) 301
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (Steven Spielberg, 20th Paramount 2008) 302
Interstellar (Christopher Nolan, Warner Brothers and Paramount 2014) 302
Invaders from Mars (William Cameron Menzies, Image Entertainment 1953) 302
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Don Siegel, Artisan 1955) 302
The Invisible Man (James Whale, Universal 1933) 303
The Island (Michael Bay, Warner Brothers 2005) 303
The Island of Dr. Moreau (Don Taylor, MGM 1977) 303
Jason and the Argonauts (Don Chaffey, Columbia Pictures 1963) 303
Jumper (Doug Liman, Twentieth Century Fox 2008) 303
Jurassic Park (Steven Spielberg, Universal Studios 1993) 304
Mad Love (The Hands of Orlac) (Karl Freund, MGM 1935) 304
The Man They Could Not Hang (Nick Grinde, Columbia Pictures 1939) 304
The Martian (Ridley Scott, Twentieth Century Fox 2015) 304
The Matrix (The Wachowski Brothers, Warner Brothers 1999) 304
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh, Tristar 1994) 305
Men In Black (Barry Sonnenfeld, Columbia Pictures 1997) 305
Men In Black II (Barry Sonnenfeld, Columbia Pictures 2002) 305
Metropolis (Fritz Lang, UFA 1927) 305
Mission to Mars (Brian De Palma, Touchstone Pictures 2000) 306
Moonraker (Lewis Gilbert, MGM 1979) 306
Passengers (Morten Tyldum, Columbia Pictures 2016) 306
Planet of the Apes (Franklin J. Schaffner, Twentieth Century Fox 1967) 306
Predator (John McTiernan, Twentieth Century Fox 1987) 307
The Prestige (Christopher Nolan, Touchstone and Warner Brothers 2006) 307
Primer (Shane Carruth, THINKFilm 2004) 307
Rampage (Brad Peyton, New Line Cinema 2018) 307
Robot and Frank (Jake Schreier, Stage 6 Films 2012) 307
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (Gareth Edwards, Lucasfilm 2016) 308
Soylent Green (Richard Fleischer, MGM 1973) 308
Spider-Man (Sam Raimi, Columbia Pictures 2002) 308
Spider-Man 2 (Sam Raimi, Columbia Pictures 2004) 308
Star Trek (J.J. Abrams, Paramount 2009) 308
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (Nicholas Meyer, Paramount 1982) 309
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (Leonard Nimoy, Paramount 1986) 309
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (William Shatner, Paramount 1989) 309
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (Nicholas Meyer, Paramount 1991) 310
Star Trek: First Contact (Jonathan Frakes, Paramount 1996) 310
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (George Lucas, Twentieth Century Fox 2005) 310
Star Wars, Episode IV: A New Hope (George Lucas, Lucasfilm/Twentieth Century Fox 1977) 310
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (Irvin Kershner, Twentieth Century Fox 1980) 311
Target Earth (Sherman A. Rose, Allied Artists Pictures 1954) 311
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (James Cameron, Studio Canal 1991) 311
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (Jonathan Mostow, Warner Brothers 2003) 311
Them (Gordon Douglas, Warner Brothers 1954) 311
The Thing from Another World (Christian Nyby, Warner Brothers 1951) 312
Things to Come (William Cameron Menzies, United Artists 1936) 312
The Thirteenth Floor (Josef Rusnak, Columbia Pictures 1999) 312
Timeline (Richard Donner, Paramount 2003) 312
Tomorrow Never Dies (Roger Spottiswoode, MGU/UA 1997) 313
Transcendence (Wally Pfister, Alcon Entertainment and Warner Brothers 2014) 313
A Trip to the Moon (Le Voyage dans la Lune) (Georges Mellies 1902) 313
True Lies (James Cameron, Twentieth Century Fox 1994) 313
2001: A Space Odyssey (Stanley Kubrick, MGM 1968) 313
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (Irwin Allen, Twentieth Century Fox 1961) 314
WALL-E (Andrew Stanton, Disney PIXAR 2008) 314
The War of the Worlds (Byron Haskin, Paramount 1952) 314
War of the Worlds (Steven Spielberg, Paramount 2005) 315
When Worlds Collide (Rudolph Maté, Paramount 1951) 315
Woman in the Moon (Frau im Mond) (Fritz Lang, UFA 1929) 315
X-Men: Apocalypse (Bryan Singer, Twentieth Century Fox 2016) 315
X-Men: Days of Future Past (Bryan Singer, Twentieth Century Fox 2014) 316
X-Men III: The Last Stand (Brett Ratner, Twentieth Century Fox 2006) 316
Appendix B: Television Series Episodes Cited 317
The Big Bang Theory—“The Isolation Permutation” (Mark Cendrowski, Warner Brothers, 2011) 317
Doctor Who—“Blink” (Steven Moffatt, BBC 2012) 317
Enterprise—“The Aenar” (Mike Vejar, Paramount 2005) 317
Enterprise—“Broken Bow” (Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, Paramount 2001) 318
Fringe—“Peter” (Teleplay by Jeff Pinker, J.H. Wyman, and Josh Singer, Warner Brothers 2010) 318
Gilligan’s Island—“Pass the Vegetables, Please” (Leslie Goodwins, United Artists 1966) 318
The Jetsons, Episode 1 “Rosie the Robot” (Hanna-Barbera, 1962) 318
Mars—“Crossroads” (Teleplay by Andre Bormanis and Paul Solet, Nat Geo 2016) 319
NATURE—“Radioactive Wolves” (Klaus Feichtenberger, THIRTEEN 2011) 319
NOVA—“Cracking the Code of Life” (Elizabeth Arledge, WGBH 2001) 319
NOVA—“Cracking Your Genetic Code” (Sarah Holt, WGBH 2012) 319
NOVA—“Einstein’s Quantum Riddle” (Jamie Lochhead, PBS 2019) 319
NOVA—“Smartest Machine on Earth” (Michael Bicks, PBS 2011) 320
NOVA—“Time Travel” (Judith Bunting, BBC/WGBH 1999) 320
The Outer Limits—“I, Robot” (Leon Benson, MGM 1964) 320
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“The Changeling” (Marc Daniels, Paramount 1967) 320
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“City on the Edge of Forever” (Joseph Pevney, Desilu/Paramount 1967) 320
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“The Corbomite Maneuver” (Joseph Sargent, Desilu/Paramount 1966) 321
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“The Devil in the Dark” (Joseph Pevney, Desilu/Paramount 1967) 321
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“Errand of Mercy” (John Newland, Desilu/Paramount 1967) 321
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“Mudd’s Women” (Stephen Kandel, Desilu/Paramount 1966) 321
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“Spock’s Brain” (Marc Daniels, Paramount 1968) 322
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“Tomorrow Is Yesterday” (Written by D.C. Fontana, Directed by Michael O’Herlihy, Paramount 1967) 322
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“The Trouble With Tribbles” (Joseph Pevney, Paramount 1967) 322
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“The Ultimate Computer” (John Meredyth Lucas, Paramount 1968) 322
Star Trek (The Original Series)—“Wink of an Eye” (Written by Lee Cronin, Directed by Judd Taylor, Paramount 1968) 323
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, “Trials and Tribble-ations” (Jonathan West, Paramount 1996) 323
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Cause and Effect” (Jonathan Frakes, Paramount 1992) 323
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“The Chase” (Jonathan Frakes, Paramount 1993) 323
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Darmok” (Philip Lazebnik and Joe Menosky, Paramount 1991) 324
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Descent, Part I” (Alexander Singer, Paramount 1993) 324
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Encounter at Farpoint” (Corey Allen, Paramount 1987) 324
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Force of Nature” (Written by Naren Shankar, Directed by Robert Lederman, Paramount 1993) 324
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Gambit, Part I” (Peter Lauritson, Paramount 1993) 325
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“The Measure of a Man” (Robert Scheerer, Paramount 1989) 325
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Parallels” (Written by Brandon Braga, Directed by Robert Wiemer, Paramount 1993) 325
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Relics” (Alexander Singer, Paramount 1992) 325
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Rightful Heir” (Winrich Kolbe, Paramount 1993) 326
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Samaritan Snare” (Written by Robert L. McCullough, Paramount 1989) 326
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Ship in a Bottle” (Alexander Singer, Paramount 1992) 326
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Starship Mine” (Cliff Boyle, Paramount 1993) 326
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Tapestry” (Written by Ronald D. Moore, Paramount 1993) 327
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Time’s Arrow, Part II” (Jonathan West, Paramount 1996) 327
Star Trek: The Next Generation—“Unification, Part II” (Cliff Bole, Paramount 1991) 327
Star Trek: Voyager—“Caretaker” (Winrich Kolbe, Paramount 1995) 327
Top Secret Rosies (Leann Erickson, PBS 2010) 328
The Twilight Zone—“No Time Like The Past” (Rod Serling, CBS/Paramount 1963) 328
Appendix C: YouTube Videos Cited 329
Appendix D: Solutions to Estimation Problems 330
Estimation 2.1: Kirk, Spock, and Jet Boots, Revisited 330
Estimation 2.2: Pressure Underneath One of the Independence Day Attack Ships 331
Estimation 2.3: Newton’s Law of Gravitation Applied to Le Voyage dans la Lune 331
Estimation 2.4: Relativity and Passenger Jets 332
Estimation 2.5: Relativity and Fusion-Powered DeLorean 333
Estimation 2.6: Relativistic Time Dilation and the Twin Paradox 333
Estimation 2.7: Relativity, GPS, and the Importance of Time-Keeping 334
The Special Relativity Effect 334
The General Relativity Effect 334
Estimation 2.8: What Would It Take for the Moon to Become a Black Hole? 335
Estimation 3.1: Mission to Mars Air Leak 335
Estimation 3.2: Air Leak on the International Space Station 336
Estimation 3.3: Atoms Inside and on the Surface of a Nanoparticle 336
Estimation 3.4: Vaporizing Captain Picard 337
Estimation 3.5: Energy of a Marathon Runner or a Truck Collision 337
Estimation 3.6: Power Dissipated by a Marathon Runner or a Truck Collision 338
Estimation 3.7: Energy Yield of a Photon Torpedo 338
Estimation 3.8: Angels and Demons Antimatter Bomb 338
Estimation 4.1: Physical Storage Space Required for Magnetic Data Devices 339
Estimation 4.2: Data Storage in the Human Brain 339
Estimation 4.3: Projecting Data Storage Density into the Future 340
Teleportation Estimations 340
Estimation 6.1: The Energy and Power Problems 340
Estimation 6.2: The Data Storage Problem 341
Estimation 6.3: The Problem of Computer Processing (CPU) Time 341
Estimation 6.4: The Problem of Information Degradation 342
Appendix E: Artifacts 343
Index 346
| Erscheint lt. Verlag | 1.11.2019 |
|---|---|
| Reihe/Serie | Science and Fiction | Science and Fiction |
| Zusatzinfo | XXIII, 335 p. 42 illus., 31 illus. in color. |
| Sprache | englisch |
| Themenwelt | Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Natur / Technik ► Naturwissenschaft |
| Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Allgemeines / Lexika | |
| Naturwissenschaften ► Physik / Astronomie ► Astronomie / Astrophysik | |
| Schlagworte | faster than light travel • human teleportation • origins of science fiction • physics for poets • physics of space travel • science fiction explained • science fiction technologies • science for jocks • science for non-majors • the science of science fiction • transporter technology |
| ISBN-10 | 3-030-29393-9 / 3030293939 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-3-030-29393-2 / 9783030293932 |
| Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt? |
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