Origin of the Matrix relating to a Science Fictional setting... [more inside]
posted by madmamasmith on Dec 24, 2009 - 19 answers

What are the most fun, memorable, interesting, exciting, and long-lasting learning experiences you have had? [more inside]
posted by Cygnet on Nov 20, 2009 - 25 answers

Which books can a physicist and a liberal arts type trade to gain a deeper appreciation of literature and science, respectively? Ideally, these would be books we could both read and enjoy. [more inside]
posted by Diagonalize on Nov 2, 2009 - 40 answers

I'm at that point in my PhD where my experiment is (almost) up and running, so I have more free time to do other stuff. I've decided that writing a general introduction to my thesis will be less beneficial than trying to get a review article published. How do I go about writing a review article, from the perspective of an unpublished graduate student? [more inside]
posted by doctor.dan on May 16, 2009 - 12 answers

Did Borges read Schroedinger?
The arithmetical system of Tlön "states that the operation of counting modifies quantities and changes them from indefinites into definites."
The sequence of history makes it possible. Borges's omnivorous reading habits and academic/social prowess help the probability. Yet Schroedinger's initial obscurity in the matter makes it less plausible.
Google has done nothing to answer the vital question: did Borges hear about Schroedinger's cat before he wrote Tlön, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius? [more inside]
posted by es_de_bah on Apr 2, 2009 - 12 answers

Help with my homework filter!! I want to compile a list of time travelers from literature, television and cinema. I am looking for a couple specific attributes. [more inside]
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur on Mar 9, 2009 - 35 answers

I'm looking for recommendations on some must-read/classic literature from the social and environmental fields of science. [more inside]
posted by jofuu on Jan 20, 2009 - 9 answers

Suggest some magazines which publish short stories and poetry that are not stuffy and pretentious. Also, any science fiction magazines that are worth reading would be greatly appreciated as well. [more inside]
posted by scarello on Nov 4, 2008 - 9 answers

How is the meaning of art and artefacts being altered by the methods we use to: Experience, Define and Preserve them... In other words, in what ways have technologies been used to experience, re-define and/or preserve art and artifacts? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Feb 5, 2008 - 12 answers

Looking for a quick and easy online way to search the medical/scientific literature for new publications on a particular group of topics. [more inside]
posted by Mister_A on Jan 29, 2008 - 9 answers

Is Science Fiction primarily an American genre of literature? [more inside]
posted by Deep Dish on Nov 4, 2006 - 35 answers

Next year I'm teaching a course on science and literature after 1945. What should I put on the syllabus? [more inside]
posted by josh on Jul 5, 2006 - 28 answers

The Protagonist: What can you tell me? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Jun 8, 2006 - 17 answers

Where on the internet are the best places to get information about new web exhibitions from the repositories of the world? [more inside]
posted by peacay on Nov 16, 2005 - 0 answers

I'm looking for book or movie characters and/or plots that follow this particular scenario: A prisoner or potential rescue victim are told that salvation (being broken out, being rescued) can come only if the person agrees to have all prior memories and events that make up their personalities wiped out, leaving only a blank, but functioning, 'consciousness.' Any ideas? Specific quotes?
posted by slow, man on Oct 4, 2005 - 21 answers

I just got done reading Ishmael by Daniel Quinn for class. Now, I have to find a book that also deals with nature in the same regard to read (ie, we're destroying it- go fix it! Though it could be how nature is ours to control and we should actually exploit it more). Preferable, though not necessary, for my own pleasure would be something that intertwines religion and science with nature (from a negative or positive standpoint) into the book.
posted by jmd82 on Sep 8, 2004 - 15 answers

I'm looking for the original source of a Charles Darwin quote, which is sometimes stated as "It is not the strongest of the species that survive, not the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." This isn't easy since seemingly thousands of authors and public speakers have quoted him without referencing the source (although they do attribute it to Darwin). Can you help? [more versions of the quote inside] [more inside]
posted by found missing on May 28, 2004 - 9 answers