Unveiling the Absurd: The Role of Pseudoscience in Hollywood
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Chapter 1: The Man Behind the Curtain
Who exactly concocts these outrageous ideas? Meet Ernie Nelson, a self-proclaimed pseudoscientist who has lent his talents to major film studios, including Marvel. His role is to make the absurd appear plausible.
“It’s quite the challenge,” he states. “Most film executives lack a grasp of pseudoscience, which makes it tricky to convey how something like a reverse quantum warp drive functions, especially when you've just fabricated the concept on your way from the car to the office. Many writers overlook the importance of reversing the science — that’s a common pitfall. If you don’t flip it, pseudoscience can start sounding like boring, conventional science.”
Pseudoscience often leans heavily on terms like tachyons.
“Audiences are drawn to the K sound, and 'tachyon' delivers that,” Nelson elaborates. “Negative tachyons? Even better! What are tachyons? The answer is whatever you need them to be.”
Nelson further adds, “At some point, a manual override becomes essential.”
He notes that the narrative arc of many sci-fi films often comes back to familiar tropes. “I can’t get no power, Captain,” Scotty laments. “Well, try a manual override,” Kirk responds. This exchange could serve as the climactic moment in countless sci-fi and superhero films. Does the manual override ever truly work?
“Sometimes yes, sometimes no,” he replies. “The engine might start, but where do you go from there? Once ‘manual override’ is uttered on-screen, you generally have about four minutes before the audience realizes just how ludicrous the plot has become.”
Section 1.1: The Path to Pseudoscience
Curious about how one becomes a pseudoscientist, I asked Nelson. His career path certainly piqued my interest, especially since he was behind the wheel of a flashy Tesla.
“I started in craft services, handling the snacks for the cast and crew,” he recounted. “Then one day, when the writer and director were at a loss for how to make a scene believable, I suggested, ‘What about a mutant wormhole?’ That’s how I got my foot in the door.”
What exactly is a mutant wormhole?
“That’s really up to the effects team,” he replied. “But it should be mutant, wormy, and riddled with holes—just like a classic Hollywood plot.”
Section 1.2: Science or Nonsense?
I probed deeper, asking if he possessed any scientific expertise beyond his snack distribution days.
“No, I never enjoyed real science during my school years,” he confessed. “It always seemed so perplexing. The periodic table? I thought Mrs. Peterson was having a rough day when I got an F.”
For his latest project, Nelson faced the daunting task of justifying how five special gemstones could cause half the world's population to vanish.
“In early screenings, the audiences weren’t buying it,” he said. “Quick fix: I suggested adding one more gem. People love six but loathe five. I learned that from M&Ms. How many colors are there? You guessed it—six. We included a sixth gemstone, and I advised them to weave in terms like alternate universe, alien DNA, infinity drive, and negative tachyon. These buzzwords will mesmerize audiences into believing that comic book movies carry significance.”
Is this pseudoscience or sheer brilliance? The choice is yours.
Chapter 2: The Impact of Pseudoscience in Film
The first video, "What Makes Pseudoscience So Dangerous?" dives into the risks associated with pseudoscientific claims, providing insight into why these ideas resonate so strongly in popular culture.
The second video, "How I Learned to Love Pseudoscience," explores personal experiences that led to an appreciation for the absurd, highlighting the fine line between entertainment and factual integrity.