What's Science Ever Done for Us? What the Simpsons Can Teach Us Aobut Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe

Is the universe shaped like a donut?Homer proposed such a theory.Do three-eyed fish swim near nuclear power plants?Bart managed to catch one.Are perpetual-motion machines suitable for school projects?Lisa constructed a working model.The Simpsonsr, the world's most popular and longest-running animated series, is a treasure-trove of scientific ideas and a clever mixture of fact and fancy. Now there's a guide to the science behind the show. In What's Science Ever Done for Us? you'll find answers to an amazing array of scientific questions raised in 26 classic episodes, including:Can genetics explain Homer's dimwittedness and Lisa's brains?Are shrink-rays and teleportation devices possible along the linesof Professor Frink's inventions?Could androids, like the one that replaced Bart in one episode,ever have consciousness?Do toilets in North America and Australia flush in opposite directions?If Earth were in peril, should we try to escape on a rocket, like Marge, Lisa, and Maggie did, and attempt to colonize Mars?Could we travel back in time, like Homer did, change the past, and find ourselves in a parallel reality?Whether you're a Simpsons fan, a science buff, or both, get ready to laugh and learn as Homer, Bart, Marge, Lisa, and the entire town of Springfield prove that science isn't just fun-it's hilarious!Halpern, Paul is the author of 'What's Science Ever Done for Us? What the Simpsons Can Teach Us Aobut Physics, Robots, Life, and the Universe', published 2007 under ISBN 9780470114605 and ISBN 0470114606.