Barry B. Luokkala

Exploring Science Through Science Fiction (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

How does Einstein's description of space and time compare with Dr. 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? How might we discover intelligent civilizations on other planets in the galaxy? Is human teleportation possible? Will our technological society ever reach the point at which it becomes lawful to discriminate on the basis of genetic information, as in the movie GATTACA?

Exploring Science Through Science Fiction addresses these and other interesting questions, using science fiction as a springboard for discussing fundamental science concepts and cutting-edge science research. The book is designed as a primary text for a college-level course which should appeal to students in the fine arts and humanities as well as to science and engineering students. 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. With over 180 references to specific scenes in 130 sci-fi movies and TV episodes, spanning over 100 years of cinematic history, it should be an enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in science and science fiction.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Springer New York
• Seitenzahl: 241
• Erscheinungstermin: 23. Oktober 2013
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781461478911
• Artikelnr.: 43790986

Autorenporträt

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.

Inhaltsangabe

Preface.- 1 Introduction: Discerning the Real, the Possible and the Impossible.- 1.1 The first sci-fi movie.- 1.1.1 exploring the science in Le Voyage dans la Lune.- 1.2 The first literary work of science fiction.- 1.3 Reference frames, revisited.- 1.4 Roadmap to the rest of the book.- 2 What is the Nature of Space and Time? (the physics of space travel and time travel).- 2.1 Changing perspectives through history.- 2.2 Newton's Laws.- 2.3 Einstein and relativity.- 2.3.1 special relativity and time dilation.- 2.3.2 general relativity and distortion of spacetime.- 2.3.3 gravitational waves.- 2.3.4 faster than light, but not faster than light.- 2.4 Stephen Hawking, black holes, wormholes and quantum gravity.- 2.4.1 black holes.- 2.4.2 the multiverse hypothesis.- 2.4.3 wormholes.- 2.5 Other time travel scenarios.- 3 What is the Universe Made of? (matter, energy and interactions).- 3.1 The Standard Model of Particle Physics.- 3.2 The atomic nucleus: protons, neutrons, isotopes and radioactivity.- 3.3 Gases.- 3.4 Solid state materials.- 3.5 Phase transitions.- 3.6 Transparency and invisibility: optical properties of materials.- 3.6.1 transparent solids.- 3.6.2 camouflage.- 3.6.3 stealth technology.- 3.6.4 metamaterials and cloaking.- 3.7 Energy and power.- 3.7.1 kinetic and potential energy.- 3.7.2 chemical energy.- 3.7.3 distinguishing between power and energy.- 3.7.4 nuclear energy.- 3.7.5 matter-antimatter annihilation.- 4 Can a Machine Become Self-Aware? (the sciences of computing and cognition).- 4.1 Computer hardware performance specifications.- 4.2 Analog computers.- 4.3 Digital computers.- 4.4 Beyond digital computers.- 4.5 Information storage.- 4.6 Robotics.- 4.7 Robot behavior.- 4.8 Toward the creation of artificial consciousness.- 5 Are We Alone in the Universe? (the search for extraterrestrial intelligence).- 5.1 Major considerations.- 5.2 Searching for ET: government agency or private industry?.- 5.3 Listening for ET: what form of communication might we expect?.- 5.4 Conditions necessary for intelligent life to arise.- 5.4.1 the origin and diversity of life on Earth.- 5.5 Cinema and the science of the SETI project.- 5.6 Where might first contact occur and how will humans and aliens interact?.- 6 What does it Mean to be Human? (biological sciences, biotechnology and other considerations).- 6.1 Bodies with replaceable parts.- 6.2 Resistance to disease.- 6.3 Cell structure and radiation damage.- 6.3.1 detection of ionizing radiation.- 6.3.2 biological effects of exposure to ionizing radiation.- 6.3.3 UV radiation and skin cancer.- 6.4 DNA and the human genome.- 6.4.1 DNA sequencing and genetic engineering.- 6.5 Cloning.- 6.6 Human teleportation.- 6.6.1 the problem of duplication.- 6.6.2 getting all the + and - signs in the right place.- 6.6.3 the uncertainty principle: limitations on precision of quantum measurement.- 6.7 Teleportation estimations.- 6.8 Beyond biology.- 6.9 What can we learn from an android about what it means to be human?.- 7 How do We Solve Our Problems? (science, technology and society).- 7.1 The public perception of science and scientists.- 7.1.1 science as obsession.- 7.1.2 science and arrogance.- 7.1.3 science as an act of futility.- 7.1.4 the model scientist.- 7.2 The methodology of science.- 7.3 Science, pseudoscience and nonsense.- 7.4 Problems to be solved.- 7.4.1 How can we increase public awareness of science?.- 7.4.2 How do we respond to threats or attacks?.- 7.4.3 How can we feed the hungry?.- 7.4.4 How can we conserve our natural resources?.- 7.4.5 How can an unstable government avoid total collapse?.- 7.4.6 How can we provide better healthcare?.- 7.4.7 How can a company sell more products?.- 7.4.8 How do we establish justice?.- 8 What Lies Ahead? (the future of our technological society).- 8.1 Accurate predictions.- 8.1.1 space and time.- 8.1.2 matter and energy.- 8.1.3 robotics.- 8.1.4 planets in other star systems.- 8.1.5 biomedical technology.- 8.1.6 communication technology.- 8.1.7 brai