Main It Runs On Nonsensoleum Discussion

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supergod Walking the Earth Since: Jun, 2012

Walking the Earth

Dec 19th 2014 at 3:50:47 AM •••

I have some issues with the first two paragraphs of this description:

1) It implies that Techno Babble and soft science fiction aren't done deliberately.
2) Most works using this trope are soft science fiction anyway.
3) "In this case, science exists as a means to get characters in a particular place at a particular time. It's a tool used in storytelling, not the story itself." - This pretty much describes most non-hard SF.

I think I'm going to rewrite it to focus on the fact that it's played for comedy.

Edited by 5.107.214.33 For we shall slay evil with logic... Hide / Show Replies

SeptimusHeap MOD (Edited uphill both ways)

Dec 19th 2014 at 3:41:37 PM •••

I am not sure where the implication comes from.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman

tkzv Since: Apr, 2012

Sep 28th 2013 at 12:33:41 PM •••

There is a short story about a starship that runs on sex. It was a gift to Earth from some alien visitors. The crew initially was told that they have to wish for the ship to go faster and it would, but the details were deliberately omitted. The ship systems were secretly spiking water with aphrodisiacs, the crew started behaving oddly, ended up with an orgy several days long and managed to reach their destination in mere days. After that they quickly figured how the drive worked and why they weren't told.

If I'm not mistaken the story was written either by Larry Niven or Alan Dean Foster on a bet with Poul Anderson. Does anybody remember the title and the author?

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tkzv Since: Apr, 2012

Sep 28th 2013 at 12:39:33 PM •••

Also Poul Anderson (or whoever the bet was with) wrote a story about a beer-powered starship. Does anybody know it?

Someonebesidesomeone Since: Dec, 2010

Dec 11th 2011 at 3:29:39 PM •••

Is "Superman gets his powers from yellow sunlight" this trope?

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doctrainAUM Since: Aug, 2010

Dec 11th 2011 at 4:19:23 PM •••

No, since this trope is purely a comedic one. Superman's sunlight powers are meant to be taken seriously and are never played for laughs.

"What's out there? What's waiting for me?"

RobinZimm Since: Jan, 2001

Nov 12th 2011 at 5:25:16 PM •••

How is this different from Science in Genre Only?

Forecharmer Still Forecharmer Since: Dec, 2010

Still Forecharmer

Oct 9th 2011 at 2:14:27 PM •••

How is this trope different from Insane Troll Logic?

Edited by Forecharmer In between Not Even Human and Not Quite Human Hide / Show Replies

RTaco Since: Jul, 2009

Oct 10th 2011 at 8:52:48 AM •••

This trope is a Handwave that's Played for Laughs. Insane Troll Logic is coming to a conclusion in a ridiculous way.

4.230.153.248 Since: Dec, 1969

May 6th 2010 at 11:43:09 PM •••

Nonsensoleum vs Unobtainium.

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dracosummoner Since: Oct, 2009

Oct 3rd 2011 at 5:45:37 PM •••

I think Nonsenseoleum is meant to essentially be Unobtanium played for laughs, where the former doesn't even try to fool the audience into thinking the scientific explanations make sense.

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