Introduction: Discerning the Real, the Possible, and the Impossible

Abstract

A major goal of the present work is to increase public awareness and appreciation of science, but the approach is somewhat unorthodox. We will use science fiction as a vehicle for exploring actual science and as a springboard for discussing some of the exciting topics that are currently being researched. Our examples will be drawn primarily from film and television, with occasional reference to some of the classic works of science fiction literature. As we consider each one, we will attempt to discern whether what we see is plausible (solidly grounded in real science), possible in principle (but beyond our current technology), or total fantasy (impossible by any science we know). When it comes to science fiction, the advice of Benjamin Franklin may not be strict enough. We may end up believing even less than half of what we see. But there are some rare exceptions, in which the science is particularly well done, and you may be surprised at some of the things that are actually possible (at least in principle). We will also encounter a number of examples which fall into a fourth category: things that were purely science fiction at the time when the movie or television episode was produced, but are now reality, thanks to recent breakthroughs in science and technology.