For the rest of July, we will be taking a look at the Jurassic Park films, mainly Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. We will be discussing the films in detail, so spoilers are possible but will be kept to a minimum. Last week, we looked at some of the conflicts in the Jurassic Park stories; conflict is good for narratives, but it isn't necessarily at the heart of science. Collaboration is at least as crucial, probably more so. A diversity of interests and non-overlapping priorities can be useful for refining ideas … [Read more...] about Jurassic July: Velociraptor’s a Pack Hunter
Movie Reviews
Jurassic July: The Three-Legged Stool of Science
For the rest of July, we will be taking a look at the Jurassic Park films, mainly Jurassic Park and Jurassic World. We will be discussing the films in detail, so spoilers are possible but will be kept to a minimum. When I was a microbiology graduate student, it was generally understood that there were three broad career options: continue on in academia, work for the government, or join the corporate world. Any discussion of one's future plans and goals typically started with a question about that threefold choice. … [Read more...] about Jurassic July: The Three-Legged Stool of Science
Science in Review: The World of Tomorrow, Today
Note: I'm departing a bit from my usual schedule to bring you another sci-fi movie review, this time for Tomorrowland; there will be spoilers. I consider these films to be both contributions to and barometers of the public science conversation. As I watched Tomorrowland with my kids, I kept coming back to the increasingly puzzling notion that it had been "refuted" by Mad Max: Fury Road. While I can certainly understand how a post-apocalyptic story can have a hopeful subtext, I don't see why we can't also have … [Read more...] about Science in Review: The World of Tomorrow, Today
Science in Review: Playing God
Note: This discussion contains spoilers for Avengers: Age of Ultron; I recommend watching the film first. I come to praise Joss Whedon, not to bury him. There is much to enjoy about Avengers: Age of Ultron, and it touches on a number of themes worthy of further exploration. Astonishing visuals do a lot of narrative heavy lifting; the action choreography reveals a lot about the characters and their relationships. Consequently, the film has plenty of opportunities to share what's on its mind. And apparently, that's … [Read more...] about Science in Review: Playing God
Movies are Signposts in a Strange Land
May we point to the path, at times narrow and dark, but never without the Light.[i] … [Read more...] about Movies are Signposts in a Strange Land