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“There are a couple of episodes of Star Trek that I can recall having some fundamental physics failures, which would lead one to believe that in the Star Trek universe, one cannot do an integral over time. The episodes that come to mind (and it’s been a while, so I may have some details wrong) are The Paradise Syndrome from ToS, and Déjà Q fom TNG. In both episodes, the Enterprise needs to transfer some energy and momentum to an object, and in each episode, they go for the Big Effort⢠and lose. “
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“Spectroscopes send out a variety of wavelengths, like scouts into a foreign land. Inevitably, a few of these scouts do not come back. By noting which wavelengths are absorbed, scientists can determine what materials the substance is made of. Infrared helps determine organic compounds. X-rays, because of their higher energy level, don’t stop for anything less than the heavier elements, like rocks and minerals. Together, researchers can determine approximately what color a millennia-old statue was painted.
The color? Always something tacky.”
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“Here were the 30 most common words (all forms included) in their dataset of movie scripts. The f-word, man, dad, mom: those I can understand. But how about “corridor”? Then start thinking of all the movies in which someone walks/runs/fights down a corridor. (So many!) Note “chamber” and “tunnel” as well. It’s like this study discovered a hidden truth about the way Hollywood architecture has to work.”
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A convenient collection of more science-related blog posts than you can possibly read.
One thought on “Links for 2010-08-21”
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Your link for the original colors of Greek statuary led to a page that discusses the rebooted Futurama episodes. I watched the episode they were discussing, where a key plot element is that any two individuals are allowed to switch bodies exactly once. The problem is: Is it still possible for everyone to get back to their original body? The Globetrotters say yes – and here’s where it gets interesting – the blackboard clearly shows the permutation notation used in basic group theory. Score another one for Futurama getting the science (and math) right where other more “serious” shows can’t be bothered.
Is this a digression? An example of ADHD exacerbated by the ability to quickly navigate web pages? Yes, if I recall the first question correctly.