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The Futurama of Physics

Posted by Soulskill on from the good-news-everyone dept.

MasaMuneCyrus writes "I was surprised to notice an article about Futurama in my latest American Physical Society news. Titled, 'Profiles in Versatility: The Futurama of Physics with David X. Cohen,' Cohen talks a little bit about his life and his love for physics, and he goes on to describe how he regularly injects graduate-level physics jokes into the script of Futurama. He also talks a little bit about the upcoming season of Futurama: 'In the 10th episode of the upcoming season, tentatively entitled "The Prisoner of Benda," a theorem based on group theory was specifically written (and proven!) by staffer/PhD mathematician Ken Keeler to explain a plot twist.'"

10 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Futurama's still on? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's Friday night. I have no date, a bottle of Shasta, and an all Rush mix tape.

  2. Comedy vs. drama by sbjornda · · Score: 2, Funny
    From the article:

    Because Futurama is a comedy and not a drama like Star Trek

    Star Trek not a comedy? Why didn't someone tell me I wasn't supposed to laugh?

    --
    .nosig

  3. Degrees by MrTripps · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Cohen has a bachelor’s degree in physics from Harvard and a master’s degree in computer science from UC Berkeley" He obviously has too many degrees that he isn't using and is a detriment to the American economy. (snark)

    --
    "I'm not a quack, I'm a mad scientist! There's a difference." - Dr. Cockroach
  4. My favorite line from Futurama... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    From episode 2-16, The Deep South, as the crew of the Planet Express ship are plunging to the bottom of the ocean...

    Leela: "Depth at 45 hundred feet... 48 hundred, 50 hundred. 5,000 feet."
    Professor: "Dear lord! That's over 150 atmospheres of pressure!"
    Fry: "How many atmospheres can the ship withstand?"

    wait for it...

    Professor: "Well, it's a spaceship... so I'd say anywhere between zero and one."

    1. Re:My favorite line from Futurama... by RasputinAXP · · Score: 4, Funny

      My favorite was from Luck of the Fryrish:

        * Horse race announcer: It's a quantum finish! And the winner is-(Man holds up a board with the winning horse on it)

              Horse race announcer: Harry Trotter!
              Professor Farnsworth: No fair! You changed the outcome by measuring it!

  5. Good news, everyone! by twoallbeefpatties · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've invented a device that sneaks nerdy physics jokes into primetime programming!

    ...I've also invented a machine that makes you read this aloud in your head, in my voice!

    --
    Libertarians somehow believe that private businesses should be stronger than governments but weaker than individuals.
  6. Re:Cohen Should Abstain from Any Regret by Sulphur · · Score: 2, Funny

    Surely you are joking, Mr. Asimov.

  7. Re:Futurama's still on? by firehawk2k · · Score: 1, Funny

    I thought FOX (bastards!) canceled that show over 5 years ago [...]

    The bastards at Fox did cancel the show. The new episodes are going to run on Comedy Central.

    I'm sorry, don't you mean the BOX network?

  8. Re:that was impressive by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    yes, i too feel compelled to love the hypnotoad.

  9. Re:Cohen Should Abstain from Any Regret by NonSequor · · Score: 2, Funny

    So, lemme get this straight: You have to design to be an Engineer?

    I better go inform all those Doctorates in my department they're not Engineers...

    Do they solve practical problems?

    --
    My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.