Cox was the scientific consultant for the movie Sunshine. I enjoyed this film, but I especially enjoyed Cox's commentary about the science behind the film, which is available on the DVD. (Okay, I also enjoyed the fact Sunshine starred sexy Irish actor Cillian Murphy, who inspired the hero in my SFR Ghost Planet. What can I say? I have a thing for pasty guys with accents.)Cox uses his charm, wit, and media friendly personality to educate the public about the importance of physics research. He has a knack for transforming complex scientific concepts into digestible bits of information.
And Cox was born 23 days before me, so I like to imagine when the universe aimed its "genius" ray gun at him, maybe a little extra squirted my direction.
What does Brian Cox have to do with Stephen Colbert? They're "entangled" in two ways. (Don't you love armchair physicists?) Both were named "sexiest men alive" by People Magazine, and Cox appeared on Colbert's show in October (which somehow I've missed up to now).
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt. I hope you will too.
Oooh, wow! Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteDidn't realize who Brian Cox was until I viewed the clip. I have his book E = MC2 and Why Should We Care? It came *highly* recommended as a short, concise and brilliant book that (SKIFFY ROMMERS TAKE NOTE!) every writer of Science Fiction [and SFR -- added by commenter] MUST read!
And Sharon, I've read your work. I think you definitely got some of that genius overspray.
Aw, shucks, Laurie. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, huge Brian Cox fan that I am, I didn't know about the book until I saw the clip! (But you can bet I'm off to buy it now.) One or both of us should post a review on his upcoming birthday (March 3).
Related topic:
I just finished a brilliant book on the potential relationship between psi phenomena and the quantum view of the universe. (Entangled Minds by Dean Radin.) It's research for my WIP, but also just a great primer on psi history and research methodology, as well as physics in general. It offers coherent, sophisticated, SCIENCE-BASED refutation of hyper-skepticism of psi.
Oh, I think I just added Entangled Minds to my Research Tower of TBR.
ReplyDeleteVery cute--excellent refutation for the all-scientists-are-nerds theory! And for more weird theories that will bend your mind, try an older book, THE HOLOGRAPHIC UNIVERSE, by Michael Talbot.
ReplyDelete@Donna - Oh, I know a bit about this! It was mentioned in ENTANGLED MINDS.
ReplyDeleteI also have QUANTUM ENIGMA on the way, which I've heard good things about.
Sounds like it might be time for a post on recommended SFR resources...
oh - it says videos are not available in my country. I wonder why not!! Will we be corrupted?
ReplyDeleteSeriously? That's very strange. I wonder why you're banned?
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I've run into this when trying to view UK programs online. I think it may have something to do with licensing. However, if you want to try, here is the original location of the content:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/253947/october-28-2009/brian-cox