There is a certain amount of suspension of disbelief that we have to endure to enjoy Science Fiction movies. I mean, that is why they are called Science Fiction, not Science Fact. It is the fantastical that make them so wonderfully captivating to watch and what makes these things so desirable in the first place. That most of it cannot happen really doesn’t matter. Its the story and worlds around it.
However, io9.com has put together a little report card on some of the major SciFi movies and took a look at how “real” the science is in science fiction.
The categories of mistakes in our report card should be pretty self-explanatory, but just in case, I’ll expand on them a little bit:
* There’s no sound in space
* Not all planets have Earth gravity
* Planets should have diverse climates, instead of one unified climate across a “desert planet” or “forest planet.”
* It shouldn’t be too easy to communicate with alien creatures, without some kind of high-technology “translator” explanation.
* And it definitely shouldn’t be too easy for humans to interbreed with aliens.
* Humans exposed to vacuum without a spacesuit shouldn’t explode or shatter. And a “hull breach” where the ship’s crew is exposed to vacuum should kill everyone instantly.
* You can’t have fires in space, unless there’s oxygen leaking out somehow.
* Asteroids or other objects shouldn’t be able to float close together without falling into each other’s gravity
* People shouldn’t be able to dodge lasers and other speed-of-light weapons
* And there’s no reason why someone would move in slow-motion in zero gravity.
* Faster-than-light travel is probably not ever going to be possible.
Imagine if your favourite Sci-Fi hit was to remain scientifically accurate. There would be no gravity in space faring vessels. Ships the size of a Mack Truck wouldn’t be capable of leaving orbit (or leaving the solar system in one lifetime) Attacking someone with a laser gun would be an instant kill. Always.
I found it interesting that my favourite Sci-Fi ever (Star Wars) fared the worst on this list. However later in the article they admit that Star Trek was omitted from the list because it fails on every qualification in their report card and many more that are not even listed.
Take that Trekkies. My Star Wars is less scientifically offensive than your Star Trek!! What inaccuracies do you willingly endure for the sake of your fandom?
Go to io9.com to see the chart listing the good and bad.
