Pseudoscience and Science Fiction / / by Andrew May

• Autore: May Andrew
• Pubblicazione: Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Springer, , 2017
• Edizione: 1st ed. 2017.
• Descrizione fisica: 1 online resource (X, 181 p. 45 illus., 28 illus. in color.)
• Disciplina: 500
• Soggetto topico: Physics; Astronomy; Fiction; Philosophy of nature; Popular Science in Physics; Popular Science in Astronomy; Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, multidisciplinary; Philosophy of Nature
• Nota di bibliografia: Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.
• Nota di contenuto: Introduction -- Charles Fort and the Forteans -- Anomalous Phenomena -- High-Tech Paranoia -- Flying Saucers -- Mind Power -- Space Drives and Anti-Gravity -- Technology of the Ancients -- Conspiracy Theories.
• Sommario/riassunto: Aliens, flying saucers, ESP, the Bermuda Triangle, antigravity … are we talking about science fiction or pseudoscience? Sometimes it is difficult to tell the difference. Both pseudoscience and science fiction (SF) are creative endeavours that have little in common with academic science, beyond the superficial trappings of jargon and subject matter. The most obvious difference between the two is that pseudoscience is presented as fact, not fiction. Yet like SF, and unlike real science, pseudoscience is driven by a desire to please an audience – in this case, people who “want to believe”. This has led to significant cross-fertilization between the two disciplines. SF authors often draw on “real” pseudoscientific theories to add verisimilitude to their stories, while on other occasions pseudoscience takes its cue from SF – the symbiotic relationship between ufology and Hollywood being a prime example of this. This engagingly written, well researched and richly illustrated text explores a wide range of intriguing similarities and differences between pseudoscience and the fictional science found in SF. Andrew May has a degree in Natural Sciences from Cambridge University and a PhD in astrophysics from Manchester University. After many years in academia and the private sector, he now works as a freelance writer and scientific consultant. He has written pocket biographies of Newton and Einstein, as well as contributing to a number of popular science books. He has a lifelong interest in science fiction, and has had several articles published in Fortean Times magazine.
• Titolo autorizzato: Pseudoscience and Science Fiction
• ISBN: 3-319-42605-2
• Formato: Materiale a stampa
• Livello bibliografico: Monografia
• Lingua di pubblicazione: Inglese
• Record Nr.: 9910254583903321
• Lo trovi qui: Univ. Federico II
• Serie: Science and Fiction, . 2197-1188