Fringe Science: Parallel Universes, White Tulips, and Mad Scientists [Paperback]

KEVIN R GRAZIER (Editor), Brendan Allison (Contributor), Amy Berner (Contributor), Bruce Bethke (Contributor), Mike Brotherton (Contributor), Stephen Cass (Contributor), Jacob Clifton (Contributor), Jovana Grbic (Contributor), Paul Levinson (Contributor), Nick Mamatas (Contributor), Amy H. Sturgis (Contributor), Garth Sundem (Contributor), David Thomas (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2011

Fringe has always been more than the sum of its parts--but its parts, too, are worth a closer look. The show combines a surfeit of mad science, some old-school sci-fi flair, and a dash of strawberry-milkshake whimsy to create the challenging, fascinating Pattern that keeps us coming back season after season and universe after universe.

Now, in Fringe Science, cutting-edge scientists, science writers, and science fiction authors and historians provide a smart, savvy, and accessible look at the world(s) of Fringe.

* 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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kevin R. Grazier, PhD, has been a research scientist at NASA, served as the science advisor for shows like Eureka and Battlestar Galactica, and lectured on astronomy, cosmology, and other out-of-this-world topics at UCLA and Santa Monica College.

Contributors to Fringe Science include: Brendan Allison, Amy Berner, Bruce Bethke, Mike Brotherton, Stephen Cass, Jacob Clifton, Jovana Grbic, Robert Jeschonek, Paul Levinson, Nick Mamatas, Amy H. Sturgis, Garth Sundem, and David Thomas

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Smart Pop; 1 edition (August 30, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1935618687
• ISBN-13: 978-1935618683
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,478 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > Guides & Reviews
  • #77 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > History & Criticism

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Reading with Tequila September 14, 2011

By Jennifer Sicurella VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book! May 23, 2012

By Victoria

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book is extremely interesting. It reveals all hidden sences of the TV show. While reading it, one begins to understand the world of Fringe and the world around us better. "Fringe science" sets you thinking. It is absolutely worth reading.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Explains the Science of FRINGE September 28, 2012

By Rev. Nick Vela

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

My only problem was that the "Parallel Universes" paper was to scientific, and had almost nothing to do with FRINGE (Come on, how do you forget the RedVerse?). However, the rest of this book is downright amazing, and delves deeply into the show. I recommend this book for any and ALL FRINGE FANS