Hollyweird Science: The Next Generation : From Spaceships to Microchips

Description

Informative, entertaining and upbeat, this book continues Grazier and Cass's exploration of how technology, science, and scientists are portrayed in Hollywood productions. Both big and small-screen productions are featured and their science content illuminated—first by the authors and subsequently by a range of experts from science and the film world. Starring roles in this volume are played by, among other things, computers (human and mechanical), artificial intelligences, robots, and spacecraft. Interviews with writers, producers, and directors of acclaimed science-themed films stand side by side with the perspectives of scientists, science fiction authors, and science advisors. The result is a stimulating and informative reading experience for the layperson and professional scientist or engineer alike. The book begins with a foreword by Zack Stentz, who co-wrote X-Men: First Class and Thor, and is currently a writer/producer on CW’s The Flash. Read more... Abstract: Informative, entertaining and upbeat, this book continues Grazier and Cass's exploration of how technology, science, and scientists are portrayed in Hollywood productions. Both big and small-screen productions are featured and their science content illuminated—first by the authors and subsequently by a range of experts from science and the film world. Starring roles in this volume are played by, among other things, computers (human and mechanical), artificial intelligences, robots, and spacecraft. Interviews with writers, producers, and directors of acclaimed science-themed films stand side by side with the perspectives of scientists, science fiction authors, and science advisors. The result is a stimulating and informative reading experience for the layperson and professional scientist or engineer alike. The book begins with a foreword by Zack Stentz, who co-wrote X-Men: First Class and Thor, and is currently a writer/producer on CW’s The Flash Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Prologue: For Sake of Argument (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 1-27 English Versus Sciencespeak (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 29-50 The Many-Body Problem: The Culture of Science (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 51-87 The Scarecrow’s Blunder: Mathematics and Statistics (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 89-129 Let’s Get Digital: Computers in Cinema (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 131-183 Heavy Metal: AIs and Robots in Cinema (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 185-220 Boldly Going: Cinematic Spaceships (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 221-270 The Gravity of the Situation: Orbits (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 271-302 Getting from There to Here: Navigation in Space (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 303-328 Life. In. Spaaaaace! (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 329-377 Putting Science In, Not Taking Drama Out: The Culture of Hollywood (Kevin R. Grazier, Stephen Cass)....Pages 379-404 Back Matter ....Pages 405-420