Comments on: In which I SEE and agree with Dustin Hoffman http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:57:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Science and Entertainment Exchange… from their mouths | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-193370 Science and Entertainment Exchange… from their mouths | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:30:02 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-193370 [...] I wrote about the Science and Entertainment Exchange yesterday, and now they’ve posted a video from their recent meeting. It features some notable folks giving their opinions on science in the movies, and it’s well worth a few minutes of your time. [...] [...] I wrote about the Science and Entertainment Exchange yesterday, and now they’ve posted a video from their recent meeting. It features some notable folks giving their opinions on science in the movies, and it’s well worth a few minutes of your time. [...]

]]> By: fluffy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192960 fluffy Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:17:55 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192960 I'm glad to see that they also represent computer science, even though it's not a natural science. I’m glad to see that they also represent computer science, even though it’s not a natural science.

]]> By: Nova Terata http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192953 Nova Terata Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:01:25 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192953 @teacherninja For years I thought I made the cappuccino that inspired Sidney Perkowitz's cosmic foam theory, but he claims he made it at home. Dude definitely had trouble sleeping at night. OMG Perk-o-witz perfect name for a dual purpose warp drive and espresso machine. @teacherninja For years I thought I made the cappuccino that inspired Sidney Perkowitz’s cosmic foam theory, but he claims he made it at home. Dude definitely had trouble sleeping at night. OMG Perk-o-witz perfect name for a dual purpose warp drive and espresso machine.

]]> By: Gary Ansorge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192924 Gary Ansorge Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:48:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192924 26. Phillip Helbig: Ref: Ron Hubbard: It wasn't actually a bet. At a SciFi con in 1947, he was complaining to Issac Assimov and Robert Heinlien that the only way for a SciFi writer to get rich was to start a new religion. Later reports(mostly unsubstantiated) had him noticing that churches were tax free, so of course, he glommed onto that,,,(and died with 60 plus million in the bank)( I actually have to give him kudos for that). GAry 7 26. Phillip Helbig:

Ref: Ron Hubbard: It wasn’t actually a bet. At a SciFi con in 1947, he was complaining to Issac Assimov and Robert Heinlien that the only way for a SciFi writer to get rich was to start a new religion. Later reports(mostly unsubstantiated) had him noticing that churches were tax free, so of course, he glommed onto that,,,(and died with 60 plus million in the bank)( I actually have to give him kudos for that).

GAry 7

]]> By: Ann @ The Exchange http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192890 Ann @ The Exchange Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:53:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192890 For Eric and anyone else interested in volunteering to work with The Exchange, please do get in touch! The program is only as strong as the people involved and so we want to hear from you. Our contact information is on our web site. Follow this link to get to us: www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/contact.html For Eric and anyone else interested in volunteering to work with The Exchange, please do get in touch! The program is only as strong as the people involved and so we want to hear from you. Our contact information is on our web site. Follow this link to get to us:

http://www.scienceandentertainmentexchange.org/contact.html

]]> By: Dutchdoc http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192842 Dutchdoc Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:45:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192842 Unfortunately, John Rennie is no longer Scientific American's editor-in-chief. He got booted out. His farewell note appeared in the July edition. Unfortunately, John Rennie is no longer Scientific American’s editor-in-chief.
He got booted out. His farewell note appeared in the July edition.

]]> By: DinoBoy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192832 DinoBoy Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:41:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192832 Dear Phil, About Sphere. I remember liking the book in high school. I'm just curious, if you read it, did you happen to like it any more than the movie? Anyway, great blog, great post, great news. Thanks! Dear Phil,

About Sphere. I remember liking the book in high school. I’m just curious, if you read it, did you happen to like it any more than the movie?

Anyway, great blog, great post, great news. Thanks!

]]> By: Dunc http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192830 Dunc Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:34:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192830 "I love Hoffman, despite some, um, not-so-scientifically accurate movies he’s been in" A gig's a gig. If an actor were to insist on only appearing in scientifically-accurate movies, they'd never work again. “I love Hoffman, despite some, um, not-so-scientifically accurate movies he’s been in”

A gig’s a gig. If an actor were to insist on only appearing in scientifically-accurate movies, they’d never work again.

]]> By: Phillip Helbig http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192825 Phillip Helbig Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:04:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192825 IIRC Dustin Hoffman is not a Scientologist, but a quite vocal supporter of the Church of Scientology, comparing the observation of Scientology in Germany (where they want to achieve the tax-exempt status of a more conventional church) to the Nazi's persecution of the Jews. (IIRC this was spelled out in an open letter written with Chic Corea and perhaps some other celebrities---I don't know if John Travolta was involved. (To get back to real science, Olivia Newton-John, who starred with Travolta in GREASE, is the granddaughter (via his daughter) of Max Born.)) Let's face it: Scientology is up there with homeopathy and anti-vaccination a prime example of crackpot pseudo-science. It was even invented by a science-fiction writer, according to some sources as the result of a bet he made that he could start a religion. Let's hope that Hoffman doesn't have a hidden agenda here. Put on your sceptical hat if Tom Cruise jumps on board! IIRC Dustin Hoffman is not a Scientologist, but a quite vocal supporter of the Church of Scientology, comparing the observation of Scientology in Germany (where they want to achieve the tax-exempt status of a more conventional church) to the Nazi’s persecution of the Jews. (IIRC this was spelled out in an open letter written with Chic Corea and perhaps some other celebrities—I don’t know if John Travolta was involved. (To get back to real science, Olivia Newton-John, who starred with Travolta in GREASE, is the granddaughter (via his daughter) of Max Born.)) Let’s face it: Scientology is up there with homeopathy and anti-vaccination a prime example of crackpot pseudo-science. It was even invented by a science-fiction writer, according to some sources as the result of a bet he made that he could start a religion. Let’s hope that Hoffman doesn’t have a hidden agenda here. Put on your sceptical hat if Tom Cruise jumps on board!

]]> By: James F http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192687 James F Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:18:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192687 A nice antidote to <i>Expelled!</i> A nice antidote to Expelled!

]]> By: GuanoLad http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192677 GuanoLad Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:35:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192677 UK actor Ben Miller is something of a science nerd, and yet he stars in Primeval, a show that runs fast and loose with logic and "science". It must keep him up at nights. UK actor Ben Miller is something of a science nerd, and yet he stars in Primeval, a show that runs fast and loose with logic and “science”. It must keep him up at nights.

]]> By: mike collins http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192669 mike collins Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:59:00 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192669 If Gerry Zucker is going to invoke Marshall McLuhan he should spell it righter. If Gerry Zucker is going to invoke Marshall McLuhan he should spell it righter.

]]> By: GGremlin http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192662 GGremlin Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:21:38 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192662 "Jessica Alba really is a nuclear physicist?" That was just possible after all Danica McKellar(The GIRL from Wondor Years) is a Mathematician and Mayim Bialik, Blossom has a degree in neuroscience. But for Jessica, it's only beauty and not the brain. I should know better, but one can hope, right? “Jessica Alba really is a nuclear physicist?”

That was just possible after all Danica McKellar(The GIRL from Wondor Years) is a Mathematician and Mayim Bialik, Blossom has a degree in neuroscience. But for Jessica, it’s only beauty and not the brain.

I should know better, but one can hope, right?

]]> By: Torbjörn Larsson, OM http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192652 Torbjörn Larsson, OM Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:47:04 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192652 Um, isn't Hoffman's forte to make the unbelievable believable? I'm pretty sure he takes odd roles and movies just for the heck of it. That said, it would indeed pay off for Hollywood to capture a larger crowd, either by appealing to "common science" with correct effects or common people with grandiose effects. Down with "The Blob", in with "Grey Goo"?! Um, isn’t Hoffman’s forte to make the unbelievable believable? I’m pretty sure he takes odd roles and movies just for the heck of it.

That said, it would indeed pay off for Hollywood to capture a larger crowd, either by appealing to “common science” with correct effects or common people with grandiose effects.

Down with “The Blob”, in with “Grey Goo”?!

]]> By: Davidlpf http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192631 Davidlpf Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:36:31 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192631 Sounds like a good idea let's see how it works. But missing Wapner. Have watch to Wapner. Sounds like a good idea let’s see how it works.
But missing Wapner.
Have watch to Wapner.

]]> By: Caleb Jones http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192629 Caleb Jones Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:22:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192629 I can see how given the choice of two equally appealing options one being a misrepresentation of reality and one more true to reality movie directors should be guided to choose the latter. However, I think it is unrealistic to expect directors to avoid creating scenes that sell merely because an advisory or agency recommends they don't. Directors will film what makes money. Now, there are creative ways to infuse reality and sell ('Primer' anyone?). I'd just hate to see creative license get sacrificed just because someone has a problem with willing suspension of disbelief when it comes to movies. I can see how given the choice of two equally appealing options one being a misrepresentation of reality and one more true to reality movie directors should be guided to choose the latter. However, I think it is unrealistic to expect directors to avoid creating scenes that sell merely because an advisory or agency recommends they don’t. Directors will film what makes money.

Now, there are creative ways to infuse reality and sell (‘Primer’ anyone?). I’d just hate to see creative license get sacrificed just because someone has a problem with willing suspension of disbelief when it comes to movies.

]]> By: John Paradox http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192627 John Paradox Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:06:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192627 <I>13. BJN Says: Everbody knows that scientists are sexy, brilliant rock stars as demonstrated on the documentary, “Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension”. </I> Yeah, yeah... laugh while you can, monkey boy. J/P=? 13. BJN Says:
Everbody knows that scientists are sexy, brilliant rock stars as demonstrated on the documentary, “Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension”.

Yeah, yeah… laugh while you can, monkey boy.

J/P=?

]]> By: Romeo Vitelli http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192619 Romeo Vitelli Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:31:49 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192619 I thought all the celebs with literary ambitions were blogging over at Huffington Post. Are these the celebs who aren't into alternative medicine, etc? I thought all the celebs with literary ambitions were blogging over at Huffington Post. Are these the celebs who aren’t into alternative medicine, etc?

]]> By: Zyggy http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192617 Zyggy Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:24:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192617 @ The Chemist: I liked <i>Outbreak too</i>, (and <i>The Core</i> /duck) but I remember the science in them as being poor. And I think that was the point there. I did, however, feel that <i>Outbreak</i> was a copy of <i>The Andromeda Strain</i>, just updated. @ The Chemist: I liked Outbreak too, (and The Core /duck) but I remember the science in them as being poor. And I think that was the point there. I did, however, feel that Outbreak was a copy of The Andromeda Strain, just updated.

]]> By: Phil Plait http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192612 Phil Plait Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:13:30 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192612 Peter (#8); I know Krauss is a scientist, but he's better known as a science popularizer. Peter (#8); I know Krauss is a scientist, but he’s better known as a science popularizer.

]]> By: !AstralProjectile http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192611 !AstralProjectile Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:10:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192611 WOOT! Brian Greene Marvin Minsky Rob Reiner (I'm also a closet <i>Outbreak</i> fan.) WOOT!

Brian Greene
Marvin Minsky
Rob Reiner

(I’m also a closet Outbreak fan.)

]]> By: Harknights http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192610 Harknights Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:06:54 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192610 Hey! I wanted to like Sphere! ...but I couldn't. Hey! I wanted to like Sphere!

…but I couldn’t.

]]> By: Ryan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192605 Ryan Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:53:22 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192605 I didn't watch Sphere for the scientific accuracies, did you? I didn’t watch Sphere for the scientific accuracies, did you?

]]> By: BJN http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192599 BJN Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:45:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192599 I had less problem with "Sphere" being unscientific than for having such relentlessly stupid characters who supposedly are scientists. "Moon" looks worth seeing, but it sounds like the premise for having one guy man a mining station for three years is pretty thin: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105201326 Everbody knows that scientists are sexy, brilliant rock stars as demonstrated on the documentary, "Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension". I had less problem with “Sphere” being unscientific than for having such relentlessly stupid characters who supposedly are scientists.

“Moon” looks worth seeing, but it sounds like the premise for having one guy man a mining station for three years is pretty thin:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105201326

Everbody knows that scientists are sexy, brilliant rock stars as demonstrated on the documentary, “Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension”.

]]> By: The Chemist http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/comment-page-1/#comment-192598 The Chemist Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:44:46 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2009/06/17/in-which-i-see-and-agree-with-dustin-hoffman/#comment-192598 Hey! I <b>liked</b> <i>Outbreak</i>! Hey! I liked Outbreak!

]]>