Difference between revisions of "List of science goofs"
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Because ''[[Futurama]]'' is a sitcom, with many of its gags/jokes based upon incorrect knowledge, and physically impossible methods, no one should actually criticise it for these "mistakes". This article nonetheless attempts to list the show's '''science goofs'''. | |||
== Cryonics == | == Cryonics == | ||
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In the first episode, and later episodes the concept of Cryonics is often shown. The entire concept of the show is based around this element. However, no one has never been able to dry people back up, currently only resulting in their death. Though, it is considered that in the future there may be methods to reverse the freezing. | In the first episode, and later episodes the concept of Cryonics is often shown. The entire concept of the show is based around this element. However, no one has never been able to dry people back up, currently only resulting in their death. Though, it is considered that in the future there may be methods to reverse the freezing. | ||
{{see also|w=Cryonics}} | |||
== Artificial gravity == | == Artificial gravity == | ||
In many science fiction tales, ships travel with some sort of artificial gravity that drags people at 1G towards the bottom of the ship. However, this method is usually done for the sake of ease of filming. A more likely proposal would be to rotate the ship fast enough when flying in space, thus allowing its passengers to walk on the sides of the ship. In Futurama this achievement is prematurely described. | In many science fiction tales, ships travel with some sort of artificial gravity that drags people at 1G towards the bottom of the ship. However, this method is usually done for the sake of ease of filming. A more likely proposal would be to rotate the ship fast enough when flying in {{cat|s=no|space}}, thus allowing its passengers to walk on the sides of the ship. In ''Futurama'' this achievement is prematurely described. | ||
{{see also|w=Artificial gravity|link=no}} | |||
== Faster-than-light travel == | == Faster-than-light travel == | ||
Most science fiction concepts uses a secondary universe (e.g. Hyperspace) where the speed of light is not a limit. In Futurama the speed of light was increased. Though this seems to be unimportant for how the [[Planet Express]] travels, where instead it moves the universe around. Could sound reasonable, but imagine the consequences if more than | Most science fiction concepts uses a secondary universe (e.g. Hyperspace) where the speed of light is not a limit. In ''Futurama'' the speed of light was increased. Though this seems to be unimportant for how the [[Planet Express]] travels, where instead it moves the universe around. Could sound reasonable, but imagine the consequences if more than one ship were flying with these sort of engines. | ||
{{see also|w=Faster-than-light|link=no}} | |||
== Light == | == Light == | ||
In some episodes, they look out in space at something that is happening at the same time, but obviously is very far away. It | In some episodes, they look out in space at something that is happening at the same time, but obviously is very far away. It would take years for light to reach them (even if the speed of light was increased). | ||
{{see also|w=Light|link=no}} | |||
== Communication in space == | == Communication in space == | ||
Today, information travels at the speed of light. Good enough if you're sending the information around a planet. But if you were to send information to the Sun for instance, it would take 8 minutes. Imagine the delay if you were to send to a distant galaxy? Of course, there may exist an explanation for this, though not covered in Futurama, where communication wouldn't have to travel in space. | Today, information travels at the speed of light. Good enough if you're sending the information around a planet. But if you were to send information to the [[Sol|Sun]] for instance, it would take 8 minutes. Imagine the delay if you were to send to a distant galaxy? Of course, there may exist an explanation for this, though not covered in ''Futurama'', where communication wouldn't have to travel in space. | ||
== Parallel | == Parallel universes == | ||
This may more be a historical error, than simply scientific. In [[The Farnsworth Parabox]] episode, it is explained that in Universe 1, the difference between that and Universe A is the outcome of a coin toss. However, if that were to be believed, every parallel universe would not appear exactly parallel to ours, except if it was a copy of ours. They may start the same (the universes that is), but due to human and animal nature, Earth may not even include humans. We should simply consider ourselves lucky for existing. | This may more be a historical error, than simply scientific. In "[[The Farnsworth Parabox]]" episode, it is explained that in Universe 1, the difference between that and Universe A is the outcome of a coin toss. However, if that were to be believed, every parallel universe would not appear exactly parallel to ours, except if it was a copy of ours. They may start the same (the universes that is), but due to human and animal nature, Earth may not even include humans. We should simply consider ourselves lucky for existing. | ||
{{see also|w=Parallel universe (fiction)|link=no}} | |||
== Scent in | == Scent in space == | ||
Although covered by [[Cubert Farnsworth]], smell and thus scent cannot travel through the emptiness of space. | Although covered by [[Cubert Farnsworth]], smell and thus scent cannot travel through the emptiness of space. | ||
{{see also|w=Scent|link=no}} | |||
== Sound in space == | |||
A common mistake in science fiction is to have sound in space, usually in space combat. This is also present in ''Futurama''. The only way that sound would be possible is if there was an interplanetary medium. The odds of this happening are extremely slim, though. In fact, ''{{w|Firefly TV series|Firefly}}'' would be one of the few science fiction concepts that didn't use sound in space at all. | |||
{{see also|w=Sound|link=no}} | |||
== Moving stars in background == | |||
Whenever we see the [[Planet Express crew]] cruising in space, we often see [[star]]s in the background moving. Of course, just like our Sun doesn't appear to move while we walk down a street, so too would the stars not appear to move as the ship travels through space. | |||
{{science-lists|Science goofs}} | {{science-lists|Science goofs}} | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 01:44, 10 February 2014
Because Futurama is a sitcom, with many of its gags/jokes based upon incorrect knowledge, and physically impossible methods, no one should actually criticise it for these "mistakes". This article nonetheless attempts to list the show's science goofs.
Cryonics
In the first episode, and later episodes the concept of Cryonics is often shown. The entire concept of the show is based around this element. However, no one has never been able to dry people back up, currently only resulting in their death. Though, it is considered that in the future there may be methods to reverse the freezing.
Artificial gravity
In many science fiction tales, ships travel with some sort of artificial gravity that drags people at 1G towards the bottom of the ship. However, this method is usually done for the sake of ease of filming. A more likely proposal would be to rotate the ship fast enough when flying in space, thus allowing its passengers to walk on the sides of the ship. In Futurama this achievement is prematurely described.
- See also: Artificial gravity on Wikipedia
Faster-than-light travel
Most science fiction concepts uses a secondary universe (e.g. Hyperspace) where the speed of light is not a limit. In Futurama the speed of light was increased. Though this seems to be unimportant for how the Planet Express travels, where instead it moves the universe around. Could sound reasonable, but imagine the consequences if more than one ship were flying with these sort of engines.
- See also: Faster-than-light on Wikipedia
Light
In some episodes, they look out in space at something that is happening at the same time, but obviously is very far away. It would take years for light to reach them (even if the speed of light was increased).
- See also: Light on Wikipedia
Communication in space
Today, information travels at the speed of light. Good enough if you're sending the information around a planet. But if you were to send information to the Sun for instance, it would take 8 minutes. Imagine the delay if you were to send to a distant galaxy? Of course, there may exist an explanation for this, though not covered in Futurama, where communication wouldn't have to travel in space.
Parallel universes
This may more be a historical error, than simply scientific. In "The Farnsworth Parabox" episode, it is explained that in Universe 1, the difference between that and Universe A is the outcome of a coin toss. However, if that were to be believed, every parallel universe would not appear exactly parallel to ours, except if it was a copy of ours. They may start the same (the universes that is), but due to human and animal nature, Earth may not even include humans. We should simply consider ourselves lucky for existing.
- See also: Parallel universe (fiction) on Wikipedia
Scent in space
Although covered by Cubert Farnsworth, smell and thus scent cannot travel through the emptiness of space.
- See also: Scent on Wikipedia
Sound in space
A common mistake in science fiction is to have sound in space, usually in space combat. This is also present in Futurama. The only way that sound would be possible is if there was an interplanetary medium. The odds of this happening are extremely slim, though. In fact, Firefly would be one of the few science fiction concepts that didn't use sound in space at all.
- See also: Sound on Wikipedia
Moving stars in background
Whenever we see the Planet Express crew cruising in space, we often see stars in the background moving. Of course, just like our Sun doesn't appear to move while we walk down a street, so too would the stars not appear to move as the ship travels through space.
| Science-related lists | |
|---|---|
| List of science goofs • List of computer science references • List of physics references • List of mathematics references | |