True, there should be no expectation that entertainment should be educational but, in many cases, it would not hurt the plot to use proper (i.e. real) science. I picked up many interesting and true tidbits of knowledge from books and movies that led to further investigation and personal exploration. If all entertainment is merely fantasy, this discovery is prevented. A great writer can entertain and still provide opportunities for engaging the minds of some portion of the audience. Why can't we expect more from the purveyors of popular entertainment?
I suspect the answer is that those employed by entertainment companies know even less about science topics than the audience. I've read interviews with writers who felt they had done a good job of incorporating real science into their work, but who had not the slightest clue about what they were talking about. Probably learned what they know of science from the movies.
Slashdot Mirror
True, there should be no expectation that entertainment should be educational but, in many cases, it would not hurt the plot to use proper (i.e. real) science. I picked up many interesting and true tidbits of knowledge from books and movies that led to further investigation and personal exploration. If all entertainment is merely fantasy, this discovery is prevented. A great writer can entertain and still provide opportunities for engaging the minds of some portion of the audience. Why can't we expect more from the purveyors of popular entertainment?
I suspect the answer is that those employed by entertainment companies know even less about science topics than the audience. I've read interviews with writers who felt they had done a good job of incorporating real science into their work, but who had not the slightest clue about what they were talking about. Probably learned what they know of science from the movies.