Science and Science Fiction
Abstract
I will explore the similarities and differences between the process of writing science fiction and the process of 'producing' science, specifically theoretical physics. What are the ground rules for introducing unproven new ideas in science fiction, and how do they differ from the corresponding rules in physics? How predictive is science fiction? (For that matter, how predictive is theoretical physics?) I will also contrast the way in which information is presented in science fiction, as opposed to its presentation in scientific papers, and I will examine the relative importance of ideas (as opposed to the importance of the way in which these ideas are presented). Finally, I will discuss whether a background as a research scientist provides any advantage in writing science fiction.
- Authors:
-
- Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- FNAL (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States))
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 987166
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-07CH11359
- Resource Type:
- Multimedia
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Fermilab Colloquia, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batvia, Illinois (United States), presented on March 29, 2006
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
Citation Formats
Scherrer, Robert. Science and Science Fiction. United States: N. p., 2006.
Web.
Scherrer, Robert. Science and Science Fiction. United States.
Scherrer, Robert. Wed .
"Science and Science Fiction". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/987166.
@article{osti_987166,
title = {Science and Science Fiction},
author = {Scherrer, Robert},
abstractNote = {I will explore the similarities and differences between the process of writing science fiction and the process of 'producing' science, specifically theoretical physics. What are the ground rules for introducing unproven new ideas in science fiction, and how do they differ from the corresponding rules in physics? How predictive is science fiction? (For that matter, how predictive is theoretical physics?) I will also contrast the way in which information is presented in science fiction, as opposed to its presentation in scientific papers, and I will examine the relative importance of ideas (as opposed to the importance of the way in which these ideas are presented). Finally, I will discuss whether a background as a research scientist provides any advantage in writing science fiction.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Mar 29 00:00:00 EST 2006},
month = {Wed Mar 29 00:00:00 EST 2006}
}