Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the theme of bad science as well as characterization and plot in Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story, 'Rappaccini's Daughter'. The writer looks at Hawthorne's view of the arrogance of men who think they can control the world.

From the Paper
"Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story 'Rappaccini's Daughter' presents in the character of Rappaccini a man of great intellect and scientific skill who nevertheless is a proponent of what can only be called bad science in that his achievements lead to death and destruction. It will be argued herein that what Hawthorne is offering in this story in terms of both characterization and plot as well as perspective is a commentary on the arrogance of men who assume that they can manipulate ..."

Tags:Nathaniel Hawthorne, Rappaccini's Daughter, short story, plot, theme

Abstract
This paper discusses that some of the devices and instruments featured in many popular science fiction novels and films are, in essence, conceived through bad engineering, meaning that these devices and instruments are neither practical nor possible according to present scientific knowledge. The author points out that Verne's "rocket to the moon" stands as the ultimate example of bad engineering, even when one takes into consideration that Verne was using his imagination as a means of conveying his ideas to the reading public, who, at the time of the novel's publication, were obviously quite ignorant of science. The paper relates that Capek's plot in "R.U.R" is the seminal robot motif that has influenced every science fiction film, but the vision of creating a race of robots that take over the roles usually assigned to human beings in the context of work and labor was far-fetched for its time and is still so even in the 21st century.

From the Paper
"Michel Ardan then suggests that the spaceship launching will be powered by a formidable quantity of guncotton, and that the occupants of this spaceship will be protected from the shock of the launch by a layer of water filling the space between the vehicle's double walls. There will also be thick glass portholes for observation, sealed during the liftoff and then opened by screws controlled from the inside of the vehicle. The air supply will be renewed by oxygen obtained by heating potassium chlorate, a powerful oxidizing agent. The flight, of course, will be monitored from the ground by a powerful Rocky Mountain telescope operated by the Cambridge observatory."

Tags:practical, possible, knowledge, rocket, robat

Abstract
This paper examines the theme of invasion in science fiction and how it is, in fact, a colonial topic. The paper also takes a look at related themes such as infestation and infection. It draws upon famous film examples such as "Robocop", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers", and "Alien" to illustrate the symbolic significance of the invader's appearance and what it represents. To conclude, the paper asserts that battles against slick and slimy science-fiction monsters and bad guys reflect the West's battle against outside religious extremists.

From the Paper
"Invasions taking over the mind or body, in an offensively intimate way, are all part of the colonial horror. We are beguiled by a slick oppressor. Memorable science fiction films hone in on this theme of the intruder's allure. A storm trooper is as glossy as a Nazi soldier's boots. There is a brutal anonymity to their sheen, which makes viewers feel dishevelled yet intrigued with what lies beneath. On the other hand, the monster in Alien is covered in slick ooze (Pickover 99). The monster resembles a malignant organ. Ridley Scott's monster is like the lost part of our civilized psyche's missing mojo, and we almost want to stuff it back in, though the monster's only goal is to destroy (Mulhall 47). It is like an AIDS virus: death within temptation. In my opinion, this connection between bodily fascination and death has helped keep the Alien franchise lucrative."

Tags:west, conflict, enemy, colonial, alien, monster, space

Abstract
This paper analyzes Nietzsche's work, "The Gay Science." It specifically discusses the various aspects of Nietzsche's claims, within his book, about the error-driven nature of human beings, consciousness and knowledge, as well as the phenomenon of self-deceit. The paper then goes on to analyze the cogency of these claims by Nietzsche.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
"Bad" Consciousness
Knowledge
Self-Deceit
Conclusion

From the Paper
"First of all, it is clear that Nietzsche holds a more favorable view of the instincts as opposed to consciousness. In passage 11, he says, "Consciousness gives rise to countless mistakes that lead an animal or human being to perish sooner than necessary." He goes on to say, "Without the instincts, humanity would long have ceased to exist." (p. 37) This is because, as Nietzsche says, consciousness is misunderstood by humanity - it sees consciousness as the foundational aspect of the human being - its "essence", if you will. This is a misapprehension because, according to Nietzsche, the instincts are more dominant in the human being."

Tags:humanity, understanding, being

Abstract
This paper applies the work of science fiction authors LeGuin and Bradbury to examine the questions: What does it mean to be human not in terms of our uniqueness but rather as a member of a larger group? Is it better for someone to choose to be bad or be forced to be good? The paper relates these issues to living in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

From the Paper
"One of the most important devices that science fiction writers use in examining what is essentially and fundamentally human and what is incidental to our nature (an artifact of the particular time and place in which we live) is to place their characters in either utopian or dystopic societies. While these types of societies obviously differ in many aspects, they share a fundamental similarity in that both are centrally planned social systems in which the rights of individuals are sacrificed to the rights of the group."

Tags:genre, sacrifices, leguin, bradbury, rights, individuals, group, citizens, collective, satire, afghanistan, taliban, books, language

Abstract
The paper looks at the testing of cholesterol levels in human beings and how this can be done using chromatography. The paper examines the technical difficulties which may arise from measuring blood cholesterol in a medical laboratory and the role that separation science can play in reducing 'bad' cholesterol in food. In the final analysis, the paper concludes that separation science is an excellent evaluative tool but also one that is still struggling with some inefficiencies arising from human error, from the need for 'pure' albumin (and other samples) and because pure samples need to be available in large amounts.

From the Paper
"The following paper will look at the testing of cholesterol levels in human beings and how this can be done using chromatography. The paper will look at the technical difficulties which may arise from measuring blood cholesterol in a medical laboratory and the role that separation science can play in reducing `bad' cholesterol in food. In the final analysis, separation science is an excellent evaluative tool but also one that is still struggling with some inefficiencies arising from human error, from the need for `pure' albumin (and other samples) and because pure samples..."

Tags:separation, science, technical

Abstract
This paper, Modern Human Ancestry at the Peripheries: An article review, is a very critical look at an article written by anthropologists for science magazine. THe article discusses the replacement theory and has anti-evolutionary ideologies, ones that don't make much sense, placed in an article that is poorly written, badly explained and muddled with academic high-mindedness.

From the Paper
Modern Human Ancestry at the Peripheries: An article review. Milford H. Wolpoff, John Hawks, David W. Frayer and Keith Hunley. "Modern Human Ancestry at the Peripheries: A Test of the Replacement Theory," Science, volume 291, January 2001. Pages 293-297. "Modern Human Ancestry at the Peripheries: A Test of the Replacement Theory," by Milford H. Wolpoff, John Hawks, David W. Frayer and Keith Hunley is an explanation of the failure of the replacement theory on the skulls of "modern" men. It is hard to read this piece within a scientific context, and it is fraught with scientific and academic pratfalls that make it a half-baked, self-congratulating piece of creationist, anti-

Tags:science, modern, origin of species

Abstract
This paper discusses Ridley Scott science fiction movie, "Blade Runner," and the Sergio Leone Spaghetti Western, "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." It compares the two films in terms of how they both reveal different myths of America.

Tags:Ridley, Scott, Sergio, Leone, Clint, Eastwood, Philip, Dick, Blade, Runner, Replicant

Abstract
This paper answers two seperate questions; the first deals with the history of nutritional science and how that has impacted the lives of the general public by not being able to refute or endorse nutritional claims right away. The paper's second question deals with finding a middle ground between the Dos and Don'ts of eating and diets, and discusses how through this middle ground anyone can choose for themselves what is good and bad and not be dictated to.

From the Paper
"In the exploding world of global communication, personal information has become an activity of communal sharing. One of the most common human experiences is that of eating: it is only natural then that the channels of global communication, like magazines, the internet and TV, are saturated with ways to prepare dishes along with what foods and diets are the most healthy. Anyone who cares to have an opinion or release a diet has a venue to be heard. However, many of the diets and tips presented through these outlets may be untrue and potentially dangerous."

Tags:nutrition, diets, history

Abstract
Cocaine produces immediate feelings of being energetic and alert. The spread of its addictive use was associated with a myth of its power to enhance human performance. However, it benefited medicine and surgery at the early stage of medical science. Today, trading in cocaine has been a considerable source of violence and crime. Its use continues despite widespread campaign about its negative impact on health.