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Bad Movie Physics Hurt Scientific Understanding
eldavojohn writes "A paper published by UCF researchers claims that bad movie physics hurt students' understanding of real world physics. From the article, "Some people really do believe a bus traveling 70 mph can clear a 50-foot gap in a freeway, as depicted in the movie Speed." The professors published this paper out of fear that society will pay the price. One of the authors commented on advancements in the past years "All the luxuries we have today, the modern conveniences, are a result of the science research that went on in the '60s during the space race. It didn't just happen. It took people doing hard science to do it." I commented on the physics of the most recent Die Hard having problems detracting from my enjoyment of the movie but is it really the root of a growing problem of poor science & math among students?"
So... people are going to actually believe the bogus science in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth? Amazing.
This is similar to people who mis-interpret history by watching movies. For instance, I know people who insist the government actually bombarded NY City during the Civil War during rioting about the war.... because it was depicted in the movie Gangs of New York.
... are far more likely to believe that an airplane crashing into a skyscraper causes the entire structure to collapse.
Most republicans do.
Shift happens. Fire it up.
I hope you begin and end every day thanking whatever powers you believe in that not everyone is like you. It's a recipe for disaster. The system can only support a small number of parasites... of which you, by your admission, are one.
The Mongrel Dogs Who Teach