Research on how science is portrayed in popular culture

KateVRobins · 08-28-2009, 06:32 AM

Hi,
This is my first post on this forum so I am sorry if I muck this up/ it is in the wrong place. The reason that I am posting this is because I am currently working on a dissertation on how scientific theories impact on the political and cultural domains of America. As part of this project, I am looking at how science is portrayed in science fiction TV shows.
I have never really watched Heroes so do not have much idea about the show. In an ideal world, I would watch the whole of the TV show but I don’t really have time at the moment. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone here who knows the show well would be able to pick out for me some key themes the show explores with reference to science. I am particularly interested in how the show portrays life after death and if there is any mention of global warming. Anything else you may think would be useful would also be appreciated.
If you would like more details, please just ask or email me at: [EMAIL="katevrobins@aol.com"]katevrobins@aol.com[/EMAIL]. If you want to drop me any ideas or discuss this project further with me either email or post here. Any help is much appreciated.
Many thanks in advance,
Kate-Verity Robins

Calena · 08-28-2009, 07:29 AM

I'm sorry, I am not the right person to answer your questions. I watched almost all of the available eps of Heroes, but didn't pay enough attention, to answer your questions with 100% certainty, I am not that big a fan of it. To my knowlege they didn't adress life after death or global warming. (If you want a show that adresses what happens after death, try Supernatural, although that's not scientific at all)

Maybe this book could help you:
http://www.amazon.com/Science-Heroes...1465844&sr=8-1

Another good show to check out for your purpose is Fringe,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1119644/

and of course Lost (at least the later seasons)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/

KateVRobins · 08-29-2009, 11:49 AM

Thanks a lot for the links, I will check them all out

Urine Engineer · 10-01-2009, 06:53 PM

Well let's start with genetics.

In Heroes anyone with the Super Power Gene will have a random super power. Nobody has a useless power. In actual genetics, many people will have powers that they either can't use, or will never find a use for. MANY.

In Heroes, in order to artificially give someone a power, Arthur travels back in time, takes all the light from Hiro's mom, travels back to the future, then deposits the light into a complicated compound. Now powers can be given to anyone.

Conclusion: Science is portrayed as a joke.

08-28-2009, 06:32 AM	#1
KateVRobins Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	Research on how science is portrayed in popular culture Hi, This is my first post on this forum so I am sorry if I muck this up/ it is in the wrong place. The reason that I am posting this is because I am currently working on a dissertation on how scientific theories impact on the political and cultural domains of America. As part of this project, I am looking at how science is portrayed in science fiction TV shows. I have never really watched Heroes so do not have much idea about the show. In an ideal world, I would watch the whole of the TV show but I don’t really have time at the moment. Therefore, I was wondering if anyone here who knows the show well would be able to pick out for me some key themes the show explores with reference to science. I am particularly interested in how the show portrays life after death and if there is any mention of global warming. Anything else you may think would be useful would also be appreciated. If you would like more details, please just ask or email me at: [EMAIL="katevrobins@aol.com"]katevrobins@aol.com[/EMAIL]. If you want to drop me any ideas or discuss this project further with me either email or post here. Any help is much appreciated. Many thanks in advance, Kate-Verity Robins

08-28-2009, 07:29 AM	#2
Calena Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Old Europe Posts: 7,896	I'm sorry, I am not the right person to answer your questions. I watched almost all of the available eps of Heroes, but didn't pay enough attention, to answer your questions with 100% certainty, I am not that big a fan of it. To my knowlege they didn't adress life after death or global warming. (If you want a show that adresses what happens after death, try Supernatural, although that's not scientific at all) Maybe this book could help you: http://www.amazon.com/Science-Heroes...1465844&sr=8-1 Another good show to check out for your purpose is Fringe, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1119644/ and of course Lost (at least the later seasons) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411008/ __________________ Another great sig by helps! ( I love you! I am your devoted ZANY!) Check it out, my first blog entry ever, on Crazy_Buckets: http://thedailybucketsofcrazy.com/20...girl%E2%80%9D/ Take a look: http://rocksaltwarrior.com/

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08-29-2009, 11:49 AM	#3
KateVRobins Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks a lot for the links, I will check them all out

10-01-2009, 06:53 PM	#4
Urine Engineer Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 35	Well let's start with genetics. In Heroes anyone with the Super Power Gene will have a random super power. Nobody has a useless power. In actual genetics, many people will have powers that they either can't use, or will never find a use for. MANY. In Heroes, in order to artificially give someone a power, Arthur travels back in time, takes all the light from Hiro's mom, travels back to the future, then deposits the light into a complicated compound. Now powers can be given to anyone. Conclusion: Science is portrayed as a joke.