fact or fiction

Is it science fact or science fiction? Futurism presents both sides to determine the truth.

Confessions of a Conspiracy Geek
On May 19th, 2002, a finely strung bow was tightly wrapped around nine (although it is now ten) seasons of what is arguably one of the greatest science fiction shows to ever hit the television airwaves. With a cult-following spinoff, two major motion pictures, and a handful of Emmys, The X-Files became a favorite amongst believers and non-believers alike. Special Agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully were introduced to many characters throughout the series, but none as memorable as the basement dwelling trio known as the Lone Gunmen. A short and stout hacker with the hots for Scully, a suit-wearing conservative with a heart of gold, and a poster child for metal bands everywhere, the Lone Gunmen quickly made a one- time appearance into something the fans just couldn’t get enough of. And for one of the gunmen, a character’s keen interest in conspiracies and the UFO phenomenon began to spill over into real life.
By Ryan Sprague9 years ago in Futurism
UFO Belief Systems
The UFO discourse, like any other field of study, has philosophical underpinnings that function like a spectrum. The opposite ends of the spectrum provide an overly simplistic idea of the ‘reality’ of the UFO question. If, for the sake of argument, we assume UFOs are intelligently controlled, we generate a cornucopia of theories and hypotheses that attempt to establish the source. On one side, we have a “nuts and bolts” hypothesis. On the other side of the spectrum, a theological/theosophical mysticism. I will expand upon both of these to provide a clear understanding of the two philosophical extremes of modern Ufology. That being said, these two poles are not necessarily an ‘either or’, but simply lay out the general boundaries of Ufological belief systems. I must first make one note...
By MJ Banias9 years ago in Futurism
Antimatter: X-mas Files Edition
Sure. Sure. The Christmas season is full of crass commercialism. Materialist dogma -- of all varieties -- are on display everywhere. But the season has traditionally been regarded as a time of supernatural activity and high strangeness, as this edition of Antimatter shows.
By Matt Swayne9 years ago in Futurism
Invasive
The Martian invaders charged from the spaceship. They kept coming as Sam Scott sprayed their green brains over the city streets. They ran towards him, shooting ray guns in his general direction. He killed them by the dozen. Sam swapped out a plasma rifle for the rocket launcher. Another battleship landed, spewing out more creatures. He fired, sending the dirty bug creatures through the air. He laughed hard as they exploded. One missile after another he launched until there was nothing but a burnt-out wasteland.
By Don Urban9 years ago in Futurism
Time Traveling Views from Stars
The White Queen in Through the Looking Glass made a regular morning habit of believing at least six impossible things before breakfast. There is one thing that simply cannot be done. It is impossible to travel backward in time. I have absolutely no faith that we might be able to transport ourselves back to the Crusades, the Ice Age, or even earlier I do not doubt that Einstein's relativistic time-dilation effect is valid; but that is a different thing.
By Conrad Morningstar9 years ago in Futurism
Quantum Computing is Huge
Most people think that a quantum computer is either a plot device in a science fiction plot, or, at the very least, a relic of mankind's 100-year fascination with adding the adjective "quantum" to nouns to make things appear mysterious or powerful.
By Matt Swayne9 years ago in Futurism
Ceratoid Anglerfish Spermatozoa
A man generates billions or so spermatozoa during his "active" lifetime. In the same time, a female ovary releases a strictly limited number of eggs (around 400). Despite the contrast in productivity each sex contributes exactly the same amount of genetic material to the next generation. It is an uncomfortable truth that the main biological role of males is to manufacture vast quantities of sperm to fulfill a genetic function that the other gender accomplishes much more efficiently
By Caesar Finkle9 years ago in Futurism
What is Space?
The general idea of 19th century Empty Space was that as soon as one ventured beyond Earth's atmosphere, a few tens of miles over our heads, there was absolutely nothing there. It was a total vacuum, not an atom within range. A complete void was thought to exist above our heads.
By Conrad Morningstar9 years ago in Futurism
History of Computer Villains
You've broken into the memory banks of a computer game company. "Global Thermonuclear War" is the game you're playing. At your next command, the Russians will annihilate the United States. But wait. something's very wrong here. This is no game. The U.S. Government believes it's under a real Soviet Attack. The Defense Department's computer has taken over your game and has gone crazy. It's preparing to launch real U.S. missiles. It's code red. Count down: 10, 9, 8...Wait! Stop! 6,5...It's only a game, 3,2...Isn't it? 1.
By Frank White9 years ago in Futurism
How Ufologist Stanton Friedman Debunked Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke
Stanton Friedman was like the Perry Mason of the flying saucer world, equipped and ready to defend any statement, destroy any criticism, debunk any myth.
By Joshua Samuel Zook9 years ago in Futurism
Power of Psychologistics
T. A. Waters was a lifelong student of the mental sciences. His 1970s book Psychologistics was an operating manual for the mind. The program can allow the brain to:
By Stephanie Gladwell9 years ago in Futurism
What is Pyramid Power?
Pyramid Power is based on the theory that pyramid shapes, built to the proportions of the Great Cheops Pyramid in Egypt, can generate energy that produces startling effects. A growing number of scientists, parapsychologists, and kitchen sink experimenters are discovering that a pyramid can alter whatever falls within its energized walls. The special shape of the pyramid is like the special shape of a violin: A violin resonates sound; a pyramid resonates energy.
By Ami Roach9 years ago in Futurism