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Pentagon Wants Screenplays From Scientists

Posted by Zonk on from the for-the-good-of-the-nation dept.

Aix writes "According to the New York Times, the Pentagon is funding classes in screenplay writing for 15 scientists. The idea is to encourage kids to go into science and engineering through mainstream media and thereby presumably bolster long-term US national security. While it sounds like a lot of fun for the researchers involved, and anything that stems the spiral of the US into a culture of anti-intellectualism is a good thing in my book. Will glamorizing science in the movies make kids pay better attention in chemistry class?"

6 of 757 comments (clear)

  1. glamorous by talaper · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Will glamorizing science in the movies make kids pay better attention in chemistry class?"

    In a word, YES.

    we should all know by now that kids will immitate anything the movies (or tv) show them. just look at how many injuries were blamed on Beavis & Butthead!

    1. Re:glamorous by Ced_Ex · · Score: 4, Funny

      You learn more from pornos than sex-ed class. It's more hands-on.

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  2. Anti-intellectualinism by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    While it sounds like a lot of fun for the researchers involved, and anything that stems the spiral of the US into a culture of anti-intellectualism is a good thing in my book.

    Pot. Kettle. Fragment.

  3. It Worked for Me! by Evil+W1zard · · Score: 4, Funny

    After watching the LOTR trilogy I have now been trying to make my very own One Ring! I also have been trying to learn how to cast Magic Missile and Root spells as well, but they are on the backburner until I can make my magic invisibility ring using a bunsen burner, a gold-plated $5 ring and some Methanol.

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  4. Re:not even close by CosmeticLobotamy · · Score: 5, Funny

    you'll find so many shows dedicated to doctors (ER, grey's acadamy, chicago hope) lawyers (law and order: special victims unit, criminal intent, trial by jury) and cops (CSI miami, ny). you never hear anyone even mention engineers in movies or tv series.

    You're right. And it would be so easy. The three-episode arc on tracking down an elusive double-free()d pointer practically writes itself.

  5. Close Encounters of the Pedantic Kind by s20451 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I think they would come out a lot like this:

    - Set a course for Alpha Centauri!
    - Aye aye, Captain!
    (five or more years of boring space cruise)
    (exterior shots in perfect silence, there is no sound in space)
    (finally the ship arrives)
    - Scan for life forms!
    - Sorry sir, there's no such thing as a "life form detector". It's not like life gives off a special energy or something.
    - Well, shit. Let's go home then.
    (several more years of boring space cruise)

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