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Science
Friday > Archives
> 1998
> November
> November 20, 1998:
Hour Two: The Science of Science Fiction
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Quick: which of the following scenarios is fiction? Which is fact?
1. A man whose arm was severed in an accident receives a new arm from a human donor. Scientists and doctors attach the arm and the prognosis is extremely positive.
2. Scientists grow a human ear on the back of a mouse.
3. Scientists land a glorified go-cart on the planet Mars to gather intimate details about rocks with names like Yogi.
4. A small satellite propelled by an ion engine is speeding into deep space.
5. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away . . .
OK. So we all recognize number five as fiction. But a decade ago every one of the above situations was pure fantasy. In fact, people may have been more likely to believe in "Star Wars" than the other scenarios that have become fact. Science and science fiction borrow from each other to entertain and to expand knowledge of the universe. | 
Fiction becomes fact: Deep Space 1's Ion Engine.
(Image courtesy of NASA) | And, not all works of science fiction are created equal. Fiction that does not exceed the limits of accepted theoretical science is sometimes called "Hard" Science Fiction. These stories could, theoretically, actually happen, and the sub-genre often undergoes a process of informal peer review to make sure. Also, not all strange or unlikely science is fiction. Remember our friends at the Annals of Improbable Research, where research that may sound like fiction is celebrated.
Join Ira Flatow on this hour of Science Friday to examine how science fiction influences science fact, and vice versa.
Guests:
Leonard Nimoy
Actor, Director, Author
Producer
Alien Voices
Beverly Hills, CA
John Cramer
Professor of Physics
University of Washington
Seattle, WA
Robert Sawyer
President
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America
Toronto, Canada
Books/Articles Discussed:
Related Links:
Analog: Science Fiction & Fact Magazine
Asimov's Science Fiction
The Sci-Fi Channel
Alien Voices
Breakthrough Propulsion Physics Program, NASA Lewis Research Center
Science Friday: July 24th, 1998: The Star Trek Phenomenon
This segment produced by:
Annette Heist
Web producer/Writer:
Christopher Morrison
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