History Main / GravityIsOnlyATheory

For various reasons, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only [[http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Theorum theorum]]-level theory that gets challenged on a regular basis In RealLife. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well, most often for purposes of analogy and satire.

!!"Only a theory", other [[MessingWithATheorum theorums]] than gravity and evolution

In RealLife, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only [[http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Theorum theorum]]-level theory that gets challenged on a regular basis, partially because it's very hard to prove on human timescales, and also partially because of the controversy around it. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well, most often for purposes of analogy and satire.

In RealLife, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only [[http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Theorum theorum]]-level theory that gets challenged on a regular basis. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well, most often for purposes of analogy and satire.

Dissing gravity as a way of dissing reality or dissing bad theories/guesses.

* ''TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy'' inverts [[{{Dilbert}} Dogbert's]] approach: Instead of the smart people floating out into space, it's stupid pewople who can short-circuit gravity by throwing themselves to the floor ''and miss''.

[[ChickTracts [[quoteright:230:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/intelligentfalling_3846.jpg]]]]

!!"Only a theory", other {{theorum}}s than gravity and evolution

!!"Only a theory", Non-gravity and non-evolution examples

See also: ScienceIsWrong, OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions, and GravityIsAHarshMistress - for when gravity itself is simply acting goofy.

* In ''MageTheAscension'', Gravity is only one of the many [[SarcasmMode oppressive]] and [[IRejectYourReality arbitrary]] rules that [[AncientConspiracy The Technocracy]] forces on us and [[SorcerousOverlord The Traditions]] [[DesignatedHero wnat to get rid of.]]

* In ''MageTheAscension'', Gravity is only one of the many [[SarcasmMode oppressive]] and [[IRejectYourReality arbitrary]] rules that [[AncientConspiracy The Technocracy]] forces on us and [[SourcerousOverlord The Traditions]] [[DesignatedHero wnat to get rid of.]]

* In ''MageTheAscension'', Gravity is only one of the many oppressive and arbitrary rules that [[AncientConspiracy The Technocracy]] forces on us and enforces by a campaign of terror known as the Progrom.

* Invoked by Charles Darwin in an essay 1842. See quote page.

Dissing scientific theories by dissing gravity.

In RealLife, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only theory that gets challenged on a regular basis. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well, most often for purposes of analogy and satire.

Depending on the setting and context, this trope can be for those who believe in gravity, those who don't, or those who believe in something else that the author is poking fun at by comparing it to gravity.

See also: ScienceIsWrong, OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions, and GravityIsAHarshMistress for when gravity itself is simply acting goofy.

In RealLife, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only theory that gets challenged on a regular basis. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well.

Dissing theories by dissing gravity.

Why should we believe in the theory of gravity? It's only a theory, right? Maybe it's right, maybe it isn't - surely it's better to remain neutral and consider the FlyingSpaghettiMonster to be an equally valid theory? And all the disagreements between Newtonists and Einsteinists, doesn't that prove that scientists can't make up their minds about gravity anyways?

When Bob say something like that, well... Depending on the setting, he might be on the edge of discovering that all we thought we knew about the universe was wrong. Or he might be totally wrong himself: Either [[StealthParody on purpose]] or as a StrawLoser who has misunderstood science on a very basic level.

Note, this is about discarding gravity ''as such'': Disproving of one of the more limited theories surrounding gravity, string theory for example, is not this trope. The word "theory" can mean three very different things: A wild guess, a scientific theory supported by some evidence, or a [[http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Theorum Theorum]] such as the idea that we are being pulled down by gravity rather then pushed down by the FlyingSpaghettiMonster or that the Earth revolves around the Sun rather then vice versa. In RealLife, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only theorum that gets challenged on a regular basis. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well.

Compare WindmillPolitical: Depending on the setting/context, this trope can be for those who believe in gravity, those who don't, or those who believe in something else that Bob or his author is actually poking fun at by comparing with gravity. Compare or Contrast ScienceIsWrong: Depending on whether gravity is portrayed as flat-out wrong, simply "an equally valid competing theory", or actually turns out to be right after all. Contrast OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions. Compare GravityIsAHarshMistress for when gravity itself is simply acting goofy.

* Invoked by Charles Darwin in an essay 1842. See page quote.

->''What would the Astronomer say to the doctrine that the planets moved (not) according to the law of gravitation, but from the Creator having willed each separate planet to move in its particular orbit?''
->'''Charles Darwin''', 1842

->''I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin. I'm going to hang up this phone, and then I'm going to show these people what you don't want them to see. I'm going to show them a world … without you. A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries; a world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to you.''
->- '''Neo''', before he ends the movie with levitating in public, ''TheMatrix''

* [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sokal_affair Alan Sokal's]] article "Transgressing The Boundaries: Towards a Transformative Hermeneutics of Quantum Gravity" is one big TakeThat to certain branches of academical postmodernism. One of Sokal's main "points" is that gravity must be analyzed by, and subordinated to, marxist political theories.
** The article was published in a peer reviewed scientific journal, and mostly famous for the author making a press release that boiled down to "What, you published it? But... but... I was only kidding! Aren't you supposed to be peer reviewed? How did THAT crap get past the radar?

Note, this is about discarding gravity ''as such'': Disproving of one of the more limited theories surrounding gravity, string theory for example, is not this trope. The word "theory" can mean three very different things: A wild guess, a scientific theory supported by some evidence, or a [[http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Theorum Theorum]] such as the idea that we are being pulled down by gravity rather then pushed down by the FlyingSpaghettiMonster or that the Earth revolves around the Sun rather then vice versa. In RealLife, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only theorum that gets challenged on a regular basis. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well.

* In ''TheMatrix'', gravity is not real because the world is not real. At the end of the first movie, Neo gives the tyrant overlords the proverbial finger by flying in broads daylight, showing mankind that gravity is not all it's cracked up to be.

Note is that this is about discarding gravity ''as such'': Disproving of one of the more limited theories surrounding gravity, string theory for example, is not this trope. The word "theory" can mean three very different things: A wild guess, a scientific theory supported by some evidence, or a [[http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Theorum Theorum]] such as the idea that we are being pulled down by gravity rather then pushed down by the FlyingSpaghettiMonster or that the Earth revolves around the Sun rather then vice versa. In RealLife, the [[UsefulNotes/{{Evolution}} theory of evolution]] is the only theorum that gets challenged on a regular basis. In some works, however, the theory of gravity comes under fire as well.

Why should we believe in the theory of gravity? It's only a theory, right? Maybe it's right, maybe it isn't - surely it's better to remain neutral and consider the FlyingSpaghettiMonster to be an equally valid theory? And all the disagreements between newtonists and einsteinists, doesn't that prove that scientists can't make up their minds about gravity anyways?

When Bob say something like that, well... Depending on the setting, he might be on the edge of discovering that all we thought we knew about the universe was wrong. Or he might be totally wrong himself: Either [[StealthParody on purpose]] or as a StrawLoser who have misunderstood science on a very basic level.

Compare WindmillPolitical: Depending on the setting/context, this trope can be for those who believe in gravity, those who don't, or those who believe in something else that Bob or his author is actually poking fun at by comparing with gravity. Compare or Contrast ScienceIsWrong: Depending on whether gravity is portrayed as flat-out wrong, simply "an equally valid competing theory", or actually turns out to be right after all. Contrast OutgrownSuchSillySuperstitions. See also GravityIsAHarshMistress.

* Classic LampshadeHanging from BugsBunny in the ''LooneyTunes'' short "High-Diving Hare": after he's left hanging on air after Yosemite Sam saws off the end of the diving board, Bugs explains that "I know this defies the law of gravity, but you see, I never studied law."
** The same joke was used on a WileECoyoteAndTheRoadrunner cartoon, only using SignLanguage.
** In a SpinoffBabies short with Elmer and Bugs as kids, Elmer walks off a cliff and keeps walking, explaining that they haven't covered gravity in school yet. Bugs gets him a book on gravity, which he reads just as he walks off the cliff again, and falls.

* Classic [[LampshadeHanging]] from BugsBunny in the ''LooneyTunes'' short "High-Diving Hare": after he's left hanging on air after Yosemite Sam saws off the end of the diving board, Bugs explains that "I know this defies the law of gravity, but you see, I never studied law."
** The same joke was used on a ''RoadrunnerAndCoyote'' cartoon, only using SignLanguage.

->- '''[[TheMatrix Neo]]''', before he ends the movie with levitating in public.

* In one {{Dilbert}} strip, Dogbert theorize that gravity is optional and that this is the reason why most people are stupid: Smart people question everything, and when they start questioning gravity they get flung out into space.

* In TheMatrix, gravity is not real because the world is not real. At the end of the first movie, Neo gives the tyrant overlords the proverbial finger by flying in broads daylight, showing mankind that gravity is not all it's cracked up to be.

* TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy inverts [[{{Dilbert}} Dogbert's]] approach: Instead of the smart people floating out into space, it's stupid pewople who can short-circuit gravity by throwing themselves to the floor ''and miss''.

* In MageTheAscension, Gravity is only one of the many oppressive and arbitrary rules that [[AncientConspiracy The Technocracy]] forces on us and enforces by a campaign of terror known as the Progrom.

* TheOnion has an article called "[[http://www.theonion.com/articles/evangelical-scientists-refute-gravity-with-new-int,1778/ Evangelical Scientists Refute Gravity With New 'Intelligent Falling' Theory]]", where fundamentalist Christians are no longer content to get equal time with biology to preach theology in biology class. They now also want equal time in the physics class, demanding that the theories of Newton and Einstein step back in favor of the theory that the universe is held together by Jesus' love.

[[redirect:GravityIsOnlyATheorum]]

:-)