Fringe Science: Parallel Universes, White Tulips, and Mad Scientists

by Kevin R. Grazier (Editor), Amy Berner (Contributor), Amy H. Sturgis (Contributor)

Scientific experts explore the ideas behind the hit TV show.

Fringe Science delves into the science, science fiction, and pseudoscience of Fringe with a collection of essays on everything from alternate universes to time travel to genetically targeted toxins, as well as discussions on the show’s moral philosophy and the consequences of playing God.

-MIT physics professor Max Tegmark illuminates the real-life possibilities of parallel universes

-Stephen Cass, founding editor of Discover’s Science Not Fiction blog and a senior editor with Technology Review, unravels Fringe’s use of time travel

-Award-winning science fiction historian Amy H. Sturgis walks us through the show’s literary and television ancestors, from the 1800s on

-Television Without Pity staff writer Jacob Clifton looks at the role of the scientist, and scientific redemption, through the ever-shifting role of Massive Dynamic

-Garth Sundem, bestselling author of Brain Candy, explores the mysterious way that memory works, from why Walter forgets to how Olivia remembers

-Paul Levinson, award-winning author of The Silk Code, shows how Fringe re-invents themes from golden-age 1950s science fiction

And more, from lab cow Gene’s scientific résumé to why the Observers should be wearing white lab coats.

Contents:

Paranormal Is the New Normal David Dylan Thomas

In Search of Fringe's Literary Ancestors Amy H. Sturgis

The Return if 1950s Science Fiction in Fringe Paul Levinson

Parallel Universes Max Tegmark

Déjà New Mike Brotherton

The Malleability of Memory Garth Sundem

Fringe Diseases Jovana Grbić

The Fringes of Neurotechnology Brendan Allison

Of White Tulips and Wormholes Stephen Cass

Moo Amy Berner

Waltered States Nick Mamatas

Fringe Double-Blinded Me with Science Robert T. Jeschonek

Massive Dynamic Jacob Clifton

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Science Fiction Fantasy, Anthologies, Essays, Tv

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 2, 2011

About the author

Dr. Kevin Grazier holds the duel titles of Investigation Scientist and Science Planning Engineer for the Cassini/Huygens Mission to Saturn and Titan at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. He earned B.S. degrees in computer science and geology from Purdue University, and a B.S. in physics from Oakland University. He earned his M.S. in physics from Purdue, and then went to UCLA for his doctoral research in planetary physics. At JPL he has written mission planning and analysis software that won numerous JPL- and NASA-wide awards. Dr. Grazier still continues research involving computer simulations of Solar System dynamics, evolution, and chaos.

Dr. Grazier is also currently the Science Advisor for the animated educational TV series The Zula Patrol, and for the SciFi Channel series Eureka and Battlestar Galactica. He recently served as editor and contributing author for the books The Science of Dune and the Science of Michael Crichton for the BenBella Publishing Science of Popular Culture series.

Info from http://www.mikebrotherton.com/diamond...

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Immediately after reading Fringe Science I had an almost undeniable urge to re-watch the TV series it is based upon. That's a of a fantastic pop culture book. Having read many essays about varying aspects of the show, all I wanted to do was dive back into that world.

Fringe has a lot going on - on many levels. No matter if an episode if focusing on the past, the present, interpersonal relationships or the alternate universe, science always comes into play. Even in the most outlandish of episodes is based in scientific possibility if not probability. Fringe Science looks deeper at the science involved in the show and though multiple essays examines aspects of the show.

I love when books like this manage to educate through pop culture. Taking a closer look at Fringe using examples and scenes from the show, the essayists teach the reader about science fiction as a genre, diseases, memory and the possibility of time travel among other topics. My one complaint is about the essay entitled "Parallel Universes." Unlike the rest of the essays in Fringe Science, Parallel Universes was all science, devoid of even the slightest Fringe reference. While any fan of the show can read this essay and tie it to the show in their own way, the essays are more entertaining and effective when we know exactly how the author is relating the topic.

Some complicated concepts are discussed in the book, but unscientific readers won't be lost. For the most part, ideas and theories are explained clearly and fully, on a basic level. Not only will the book educate the reader about some less often discussed scientific theories, but it will also help fans better understand the possibilities of certain fringe events when viewing the show. Fringe Science is wonderful and a must read for any Fringe fan.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I finished watching the series, Fringe, I was left with a gaping emotional hole in my chest. I didn't know where to look for something to fill it. I had questions, questions about Olivia and Walter and Peter and Astrid and Gene and Nina and Broyles and Charlie and Lincoln and Fauxlivia and Walternate. I had questions about the science behind each of Walter's experiments, failed and successful. I was left yearning for more about Gene, our favorite bovine (she may have been a heifer). I did not want fan theories, I wanted something solid to read to fill my heart for the love of science Fringe left me with. And then I remembered why I'd watched Fringe in the first place: a coworker at the Writing Center (I used to work there last year) was reading this book, Fringe Science. It had a cow on the cover, and of course I was interested. All he told me was, "It's a great show. And this book explains some of the science behind it." I started watching Fringe a few months after that day, all so I could read this book.

And I was not disappointed.

Each compiled essay is an extension of the series. There are essays on parallel universes, time travel, genetic mutilation, the history of literature behind science fiction, and Mary Shelley. Even Gene the cow gets an essay all to herself. I found myself devouring the book at with discrepancy. One day, I'd read five essays, and then I'd spend the next four days reading just one (the two most challenging reads were the ones about levels of parallel universes and the one about BCI devices (or the possibility of mind control)).

And I just finished the book, and I want to recommend it to everyone who likes science, or science fiction. If you haven't watched Fringe, watch it so you can read the book, like I did. If you've watched Fringe and are still longing for more, read the book.

I absolutely love it.

[John Lindemuth]

This is an entertaining book for anyone who has watched the series "Fringe". The work is written in chapter style vignettes with a different author for each chapter. The book, in part, details the scientific (some would say pseudo-scientific) basis for the experimentation performed during this series. In addition, other parts of the book are written from the standpoint of the genre of science fiction and explain the roots of the literary attributes that have been borrowed form other television shows and historical science fiction writers. I found quite an education for both the literary history and the scientific background information about the various plots and experiments the series proffers. Again, it is very entertaining and an excellent companion book for the show.
Lastly, long live Gene, the laboratory cow!

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a series of essays on various areas within the show Fringe, this is a very interesting book but just not what I was looking for.

Some of the essays where, of course, better than others and some very interesting parallels are drawn between the main characters (especially Walter Bishop) and great literary investigators or science fiction greats.

Obviously one for fans only!

Full review here

[Nyree Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting reading, delving into the science of science fiction. Mostly easy reading but, at times, too much for my little brain to fathom!
I think these type of essays (relating a subject such as science to tv shows) make it easier to learn and is a hell of a lot more interesting than a mundane text book!

[CJ Redding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some of the science could have been dumbed down a bit more for the ley reader, but it was very insightful and educational. I really liked the section on memory.

[Malia Ebel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I generally enjoy books on "theoretical physics for non-science minds". I was excited about this book because I understood that Fringe employed some pretty cutting-edge science in its plotlines and I was excited to learn more about the theories employed in those plots. But this isn't really about the scientific principles that were used in Fringe, the essays are more an examination of Fringe. Several of the essays aren't scientifically-based at all, and instead look at the literary and film inspirations for the show.

There are some science-based essays, but some seem to begin in the middle of the conversation. For example, the essay on parallel universes just takes as a given that certain types of parallel universes exist, without explaining why.

If you're a huge fan of the show Fringe, and want to learn about how the show itself ties into literature, film, and science, then I think you'll love this book. I admittedly haven't watched Fringe, so this wasn't what I wanted.

If you're interested in learning about areas of "fringe" science, such as parallel universes, faster-than-light travel, time travel, worm holes, etc., instead of this book, I suggest picking up something authored by Michio Kaku. He is the founder of string theory and frequently appears on H2 and BBC America's theoretical science programs. And he is able to explain extremely complicated subjects in a way that makes them intelligible to those without PhDs in astrophysics.

[Kate]

There were only a few of these essays I couldn't understand. =) Most essays had interesting real life information about some of the fringe sciences on the tv show including the quantum physics of time travel. The authors are well informaed about Fringe and bring together the themes over the first three seasons.

[Tonya · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the essays, this was for someone who was a much greater fan than I.

[Pamela Canepa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this one quite highly, but I am biased, I have always loved the Fringe series. This collections gives some valuable background.

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: This ARC was given to me for free in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

The essays were really interesting and fascinating. I was totally nerding out in a good way.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The essay on Parallel Universes is a doozy to get through, but from there it is smooth sailing. Any Fringe Fan will love this trip into the Mythology of Fringe.

[Lucretia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, combines the joy of fringe with the joy of science, great stuff

[Yui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eye opening.

[Marisa Pedro · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting more of a book about, well, 'fringe science.' I was not expecting this to be a book about the tv series at all.