Evaluate a science fiction film to determine if the science and technologies used as a plot device are compatible with the laws of the universe. The selection of movies are listed below. Please advise writer! Thanks
Contact (1997) A space odessey (Act I And Act IV) 1968 Star Wars episode IV: a new hope (1977) Hitch hikers guide the galaxy (2005) Ex machina (2015)
Film’s Plot
The film which we have selected for this assignment is Contact that was released in the year 1997. It is a science-fiction movie that is based on the novel by Carl Sangan, which also has the same title (Contact). The plot of the theory is based on the signal that is received by Dr. Eleanor, who works in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI).
Dr. Eleanor, who is the protagonist in the film, is working at an observatory (Arecibo Observatory) in Puerto Rico (Latin American country). She analyzes various types of radio frequencies that are emitted from space. The objective, of analysis is to identify any intelligent pattern in the emission of these radio frequencies and to look for any signal or message hidden in these cosmic frequencies. Both pattern and complex signal will be considered as evidence of the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence.
As the project, headed by the protagonist, fails to produce the desired results, the funding for the project is reduced to zero. During this period, S. R. Hadden, a billionaire who has an interest in discovering extraterrestrial intelligence, funds the project. The continuation of the project produces a result, when it catches a signal that is repeating a sequence of prime numbers. That signal is from the star (Vega) that is only twenty-six light years away. This signal is followed up by another signal, which is more comprehensive and has a video (of Adolf Hitler) buried in it. The signal also contains around sixty-three thousand pages that the team classifies as indecipherable data. However, the scientists working for S. R. Hadden deciphers it when they arrange the data in a three-dimensional structure. They learn that sixty-three thousand pages are in fact schematics of a highly complex machine designed to transport.
When Dr. Eleanor sits in the machine to travel (she is the second choice), the rings of the machine start to open the wormholes from their rotation. She travels through some wormholes to reach Vega (Dr. Eleanor perceives that she is on Vega), where she meets her father, who tells her about an advanced civilization that exists in fifth (5th) dimension, which desires humans to expedite their progress.
Science and Technology Mention in the Movie
The plot of the film seems to be based on Wow! Signal. In the year 1977an astronomer, Jerry Ehman, was able to catch a signal with the help of the Big Ear Radio Telescope. The signal was so clear, and its pattern was so discernable that Jerry wrote “Wow!” on the frequency sheet. For many years, a considerable number of people believed it was a message from extraterrestrial intelligence. Scientists also assert that initial contact with aliens with humans will be through a radio frequency. In the movie too, Contact, extraterrestrial intelligence contacts humans through a radio frequency, which is sophisticated (Thomson, 2017).
In the movie, a lot of emphasis is on wormholes and travel in space-time through these wormholes. For instance, the machine opens fifth dimension (breaking or expanding of the wormhole) that allows Dr. Eleanor to travel through space-time. The scene of traveling to Vega also suggests that other universes are actually at microscopic distance. Many contemporary studies are suggesting that when the fifth dimension opens, entrance to hidden/new realities open. The string theory and parallel-universe theories suggest the existence of more than five dimensions.
In some recent experiments, Hadron Collider has been used to gather evidence regarding the fifth dimension. In other similar experiments, Hadron Collider has been used specifically to create a wormhole. Many scientific theories have mathematically proved the existence of wormholes; however, physical evidence is lacking (Austin, 2015).
Evaluation
In the selected movie, several scientific theories and events have been emphasized. For instance, the plot of the movie is based on the scientific event (Wow! Signal). The film subtly suggests that the existence of extraterrestrial intelligence is natural and in line with the probability theory. Also, designed or created wormhole is used by the protagonist for time-travel (existence of the wormhole is now a scientific fact). Therefore, we can say that various events in the movie/film are compatible with the laws of physics and based on different scientific theories about wormholes and space-time travel.
Conclusion
In the end, it is concluded that the science-fiction movie/file is based on different scientific theories and events. These scientific theories and events are slightly exaggerated for commercial purposes. For instance, the second signal was highly complex as it had a video and 63, 000 pages long data buried in it. Such complex signals have never been received or caught by any observatory designed to catch various kinds of signals that are emitted from space. Similarly, humans have not created such large and stable wormholes that could transport mass in such large quantity. As per studies, wormholes, which exist in nature or created by humans, exist for very brief periods. They are usually not very stable; therefore, die in a very brief period. Only a stable and large wormhole can transport a large quantity. Scientists are very far from creating a stable wormhole. Also, it was hard to predict whether a wormhole could be used to transport mass (including humans) to a different dimension.
Contact is a good science-fiction movie, which plot is based on actual events and space-time travel theories. The movie also quite accurately postulates that more advanced civilizations are present in our universe/galaxy and human civilization is not the only civilization. This thought or assertion that humans are alone in this universe is not only irrational but also terrifying.
References
Austin, J. (2015, August 24). First ever ‘wormhole’ created, and it could make things INVISIBILE. Retrieved from https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/600375/Scientists-create-first-ever-wormhole-that-could-unlock-key-to-INVISIBILITY
Thomson, I. (2017, June 10). Has riddle of the 1977 ‘Wow!’ signal finally been cracked? Maybe……or maybe not. Opinion is divided. Retrieved from https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/06/10/wow_signal_comet_claim/
+447462439809