Tag Archives: science

Jun 23 2015
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You Can't Argue with Science

You Can’t Argue With Science: The Science of Love!

Guten Tag, Herr 3.5 readers!

Dr. Hugo Von Science

Dr. Hugo Von Science

It is I, Dr. Hugo Von Science, back to once again prove that if you try to argue with science, you vill totally lose.  It’s impossible, mein leipshin.  Try arguing with a microscope sometime.  It can’t be done.

Perhaps you remember me from one of mein fabulous inventions:

  • The Aerodynamic Ice Cream Cone – allows astronauts to eat rocky road in zero gravity without spilling un single drop.  Also comes in rum raisin, boysenberry, tutti frutti, und mein favorite, moose tracks mit extra rainbow sprinkles.
  • Vacuum Sealed Pants – Just put them on, attach the vac-o-matic, turn on for five seconds and nothing gets in or out.  (Just don’t eat anything for 6 hours prior to wearing these bad boys, mein leipshin, we had a few incidents with lab monkeys exploding when they got a little gassy.
  • The Beyonce-a-fier – Makes any woman look and sound exactly like Beyonce.  Early test results indicate it will save 10 out 10 marriages.  Don’t worry, frauleins.  The Tatum-izer is coming soon.  Divorce vill be a thing of the past!

And last but not least…

  • The Meteor Magnet – Yes!  All will bow down before Dr. Von Science or I vill cause a giant meteor to hurtle towards Earth and….woopsie!  I’ve said too much.

Anyhow, have you been reading along with Bookshelf Q. Battler and the Meaning of Life?  Mein former student has undertaken quite an adventure, and has even met a fraulein!  Good for him!

I know what you’re about to say.  “Dr. Hugo, what do you know about love?  Love has nothing to do with science!”

Malarkey, says I!  It has everything to do with science.  Think about all the scientific subjects that come into play when selecting a person to love:

  • Chemistry – not in the “mix chemicals in a lab beaker” sense (though I did create mein first wife that way) but in the hormonal sense.  When you see that special someone and that little person in the back of your mind starts shouting, “Yah, yah!” that’s the result of all kinds of bodily chemicals und juices being fired to and fro through your system.  I’d explain more, but you’d need a Prestigious Degree in Science from the Science Institute of Science University to understand.
  • Biology – Sort of tied to chemistry, in this case.  On the plains of the Sarenghetti, why does one gazelle see another gazelle and think, “Mein Got, what an attractive gazelle?”  Science!
  • Psychology – Everyone’s head is wired differently.  What one person finds attractive will be seen as blah by another.  Success, security, stability, companionship, status – all these factors come in to play and often compete against each other inside an herr or fraulein’s knogan.  For example, everyone might think the herr mit a flashy fraulein on his harm might be a cool dude, thus increasing his social status.  However, if the fraulein is wild and crazy, she might not have much interest in a stable relationship.

Oh vell, I’m glad Bookshelf Q. Battler has found a fraulein but I hope he doesn’t screw it up the way he did when I allowed him to be my assistant on the Incredible Exploding Chinchilla project.  Time will tell and we’ll have to read on before we find out.

But why not refresh our memories first?

READ PARTS 1-5

READ PARTS 6-13

READ PARTS 14-18

BQB’s epic adventure returns tomorrow, mein leipshin!  Come back to the Bookshelf Battle Blog!  Be there or be un square!

Dr. Hugo Von Science is a Distinguished Professor of Science at the Advanced Science Institute of Science University.  He has patented over a bazillion inventions and may or may not be attempting to conquer the world in his spare time.  His column, “You Can’t Argue with Science” is a recurring feature on the Bookshelf Battle Blog.

Mad scientist photo courtesy of shutterstock.com

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Jun 11 2015
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You Can't Argue with Science

You Can’t Argue with Science: Dr. Hugo Reminds You of BQB and The Meaning of Life

Guten tag, mein leipshin!

Dr. Hugo Von Science

Dr. Hugo Von Science

It is I, Dr. Hugo Von Science here mit mein column, “You Can’t Argue With Science.”

You really can’t, can you?  Go on.  Try it.  Argue with a molecule and see where it gets you.  Nowhere.

Perhaps you remember me from one of my amazing inventions:

  • The Super Collider Walnut Cracker – Harnesses the power of the super collider to send molecules hurtling at unimaginable speeds for the purpose of cracking mein delicious walnuts.
  • Chimpanzee Mind Control Helmets – Have you ever wanted to live vicariously through a chimp?  Now you can.  You’re welcome.
  • The Spoiler Stratifier – Tired of your favorite television shows being spoiled by people who have more time to watch TV than you do?  Try this special pair of ear buds that translates any spoiler uttered by a dufus into the sound of a Swiss man yodeling.

And of course…

  • The Stench-a-fier – Provide me with all the gold bars in the world or your cities will reek with the stench of a billion skunks dipped in old buttermilk and…woopsie!  That one isn’t perfected yet.  Mein bad.

Anyhoodles, have you forgotten all about Bookshelf Q. Battler and the Meaning of Life?  Of course you have, mein leipshin.  It’s all right.  You all have the brain capacity of a bunch of buzzing gnats.  It’s ok.  We all can’t be a distinguished Professor of Science at the Advanced Science Institute of Science University like yours truly, Dr. Hugo Von Science.

Here’s a refresher of BQB’s epic adventure:

Parts 1-5 – BQB dies on toilet after eating a lightning bolt that was concentrated into a pop tart.  In death, his spirit guide, William Shakespeare, advises him to seek the meaning of life.  Critics praise the tale, especially the intense realism as well as the author’s bold gambit in educating the world about the scourge of toilet/lightning related fatalities.

Parts 6-13 – Our hero is given a second chance at life and recovers from his injuries at the Bookshelf Battle Compound.  Various tiny book characters apologize for causing his injury.  BQB decides that the secret of life must rest in the brain of the Great Guru, a wise man who lives high atop a mountain smack dab in the middle of the civil war plagued island of Pango Tango.  The inhabitants have been massacring each other for years over an argument as to which side is most peaceful.  (Yes, you read that right.)

Pop Culture Mysteries returns in July with a special episode in which Detective Jake Hatcher investigates whether Han or Greedo from Star Wars shot first.

In the meantime, you can start reading Jake’s quest to figure out what happened to the original Brady Bunch spouses.

What do you think happened to them, mein leipshin?  Personally, I don’t think Mike or Carol had first spouses.  I bet the Brady children were cloned in a lab, but that just could be mein bias for, as you know, I am a man of science.

And you can’t argue with science.

Toodle-ooo herrs unt frauleins!

Dr. Hugo Von Science is a Distinguished Professor of Science at the Advanced Science Institute of Science University.  He has patented over a bazillion inventions and may or may not be attempting to conquer the world in his spare time.  His column, “You Can’t Argue with Science” is a recurring feature on the Bookshelf Battle Blog.

Mad scientist photo courtesy of shutterstock.com

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Jun 09 2015
6 Comments
Self Publishing

The Martian Movie Trailer – An Inspiration for Self Publishers

Sure.  We click clack away on our keyboards whenever we find the time.  We like to daydream about our name in lights, that our words will be embraced by the public, that maybe they’ll even be turned into a movie.

Well, Andy Weir, walking talking self publishing success story that he is, has done just that.

The Martian, a movie based on his bestselling book of the same name, is due out later this year.  The trailer’s been released it it looks amazing:

Movie Trailer – The Martian – 20th Century Fox

“I’m going to have to science the shit out of this.”

– Astronaut Mark Watney

Matt Damon in the lead role.  An ensemble cast that includes Jeff Bridges, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara (Zoe from freaking House of Cards!), Donald (Troy from Community!) and Kristen Wiig in a role which, from the looks of it, might be her bridge from comedy to more serious fare.

Earlier this year, Andy spoke to three of my favorite self-publishers, Johnny B. Truant, Sean Platt and David Wright aka Johnny, Sean and Dave of the “Self Publishing Podcast.”  He spoke how he wasn’t an overnight success story but rather his journey was one that involved years of pain staking hard work.

Read more about that show here. 

Rome wasn’t built in a day and your self publishing career won’t be either.

Andy, you’re an inspiration to every nerd with a laptop and a dream of becoming a self-published author.  You did it.  One man. One computer.  One story.  And now one major movie that has every indication of being box office gold.

I tip my hat to you sir, and shall raise a frosty beverage in your honor on opening night.  Your achievement has made it possible for a new generation of self publishers to be taken seriously and we are forever in your debt.

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Jun 04 2015
4 Comments
Ask the Alien

Alien Jones Taking Your Questions

Help Alien Jones stem the tide of stupidity sweeping across our planet!

It's your move, Internet.

It’s your move, Internet.

Ask him a question today and who knows?  He might even respond with a plug for your book or blog right here on this revered site, bookshelfbattle.com

Here’s some of the Esteemed Brainy One’s past columns:

Halfway Through the One Post a Day for a Year Challenge

Is Hollywood Capturing What Aliens Look Like?

What is the Meaning of Life?

Consult the Greatest/Pantsless Genius of the Universe today!

Alien Jones is the Intergalactic Correspondent for the Bookshelf Battle Blog, on a mission to raise Earth’s collective intelligence levels one question at a time. Do you have a question for the Esteemed Brainy One? Tweet it to @bookshelfbattle on Twitter, leave it in the comments on bookshelfbattle.com, or stop by Bookshelf Battle on Google Plus. If he likes your question, he might even promote your book, blog, other project in his answer.

Alien image courtesy of a shutterstock.com license.

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Jun 04 2015
1 Comment
You Can't Argue with Science

You Can’t Argue with Science – The Dementor Wasp!

By:  Dr. Hugo Von Science, Advanced Science Institute

Dr. Hugo Von Science

Dr. Hugo Von Science

Guten Tag, Herr 3.5 Readers!

Dr. Hugo Von Science here mit mein column, “You Can’t Argue with Science!”  Go on, mein leipshin.  Try to argue with a DNA helix.  You’ll be there all day and you vill get nowhere.  It is not worth it.

Perhaps you remember me from one of mein amazing inventions:

  • The Black Hole-a-fier – Annoyed by an uninvited guest?  Simply point this device at the dummkopf, press a button and voila!  A black hole opens in your living to transport your rude visitor to the outer boundaries of time undt space.  Works especially well on door-to-door salesmen, those people who knock on your door at 6 am to try to hand you a copy of The Watchtower undt also late pizza deliverymen.  Mein anchovies are cold?  To the opposite side of the cosmos with you!
  • The Cat Cannon – With all the strays wandering about, why not put herr kitzen katzens to work?  I’ve already sold a million of these bad boys to the army.  Load them up, press the tigger and it shoots a hundred angry felines directly at your enemy’s face.
  • Shakespearization Ear Phones – Makes all dummies sound like they are speaking exactly like das bard.

Undt last but not least:

  • The De-Ozonizer – Muah ha ha!  Yes!  Yes!  Bow down to me, or I shall use mein invention to remove what’s left of Earth precious ozone layer and…woopsie!  Sorry mein leipshin, this one is still in development.  I’ve said too much.

Anyhow, the Dementor Wasp!  Have you feasted your eyes on this newly discovered species, Herr 3.5 Readers?

Auch dun lieber! It's uglier than Das Yeti!

Auch dun lieber! It’s uglier than Das Yeti!

As avid book readers, surely you must have heard of the dementors from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books, yes?  The dementors would suck away young wizards’ souls and leave them shells of their formers selves, able to walk about but still under the dementor’s control, veritable zombie slaves if you will.

(Perhaps they could be called the Night King Wasp after the last Game of Thrones, yes Herr 3.5?)

This is a case where science and literature have come together to name this recently discovered insect.

What does this little beasty do?  It finds a scrumptious cockroach and injects a poison into said roach’s belly.  The victim is left still able to move but unable to control its movement.  The wasp than grabs hold of the roach’s antennae and drags it off to a location where it can have a roach feast.

Have you ever had one of those lawnmowers that you push but the lawnmower has the ability to push its own wheels so you’re not over exerting yourself?  That’s pretty much what’s happening here, mein leipshin.  The dementor wasp separates a cockroach’s mind from its motor skills, but then guides the still walking roach/lunch to its impending doom.

What can I say?  I guess wasps aren’t too picky about their snacks.

“Ampulex dementor” is the official name of this species.  If you aren’t disgusted yet, you can read more about this naughty bug in this Washington Post article.

Oh, mein leipshin, I’m sorry…I meant to say this at the beginning – DON’T READ THIS ARTICLE IF YOU’VE JUST EATEN!

Mein bad, Herr 3.5.  Mein bad.

Dr. Hugo Von Science is a Distinguished Professor of Science at the Advanced Science Institute of Science University.  He has patented over a bazillion inventions and may or may not be attempting to conquer the world in his spare time.  His column, “You Can’t Argue with Science” is a recurring feature on the Bookshelf Battle Blog.

Dementor wasp image via Wikimedia.org courtesy of a Creative Commons License 

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May 31 2015
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Ask the Alien

Ask the Alien – Halfway Through the One Post a Year Challenge

By:  Alien Jones, Intergalactic Correspondent

"Carry the one, add in the denominator and, hey! What do you know? It all still adds up to 3.5!"

“Carry the one, add in the denominator and, hey! What do you know? It all still adds up to 3.5!”

Greetings Earth losers!  No one’s bothered to consult my genius alien brain lately but that’s ok.  I’ve been monitoring your news reports and what with everyone down there on your pitiful excuse for a planet shooting each other every five minutes, I’ve no doubt you’ve all got this shit locked down.  Why bother asking a supreme being for answers when you all know everything anyway?

Sorry.  I don’t speak with emotion so you may not have noticed the sarcasm.

Anyhow, tomorrow Bookshelf Q. Battler will reach the halfway mark of his one post a day for a year challenge.  Yes, you poor people have been subject to BQB’s daily blatherings without a break for an entire six months now.  Either you didn’t notice or you’ve grown numb to the stupidity.

Stupidity?  I meant to say BQB is a genius.  I have to because for some peculiar reason, my boss, the Mighty Potentate, sees potential in this nerd.  That means I have to see potential in him to.

Yes.  Just change his name to Bookshelf Q. Potentialer.

How’s BQB doing now that we’ve reached the point of no return?

Let’s take a look:

WORDPRESS FOLLOWERS:

Dec 2014 – 450 approx

Today = 1,069

TWITTER FOLLOWERS: 

Dec 2014 – 2000 approx

Today = 4,586

VIEWS:

As of Dec. 2014 = 4,658

Jan-May 31, 2015 =  12,335

VISITORS: 

As of Dec. 2014 = 3,263

Jan-May 31, 2015= 6,941

YETIS ACQUIRED: 

As of Dec. 2014 = 0 (Considered a good thing

Jan-May 31, 2015 = 1 (A terrible setback)

I’ll hand it to our illustrious blog host.  The proof, as they say, is in the pudding.  I’ve never understood why Earthlings say that though.  Is there some criminal out there who hides all of the evidence against him at the bottom of a gigantic vat of tapioca?

But I digress.  Daily blogging, interacting with readers, social media, etc. has helped BQB put his stats on the rise.  He’s not at the point where he can assure the Mighty Potentate that his writing will distract the masses from the reality television that he despises so much, but it would appear that increased daily improvements, no matter how small, add up over time.

Thank you for your continued support of BQB.  Though I could care less, I can’t really, for the Mightiest of Potentates, He Whose Ganderflazer Dwarves Mine in Comparison, requires me to care.

So care I shall.

Alien Jones is the Intergalactic Correspondent for the Bookshelf Battle Blog, on a mission to raise Earth’s collective intelligence levels one question at a time. Do you have a question for the Esteemed Brainy One? Tweet it to @bookshelfbattle on Twitter, leave it in the comments on bookshelfbattle.com, or stop by Bookshelf Battle on Google Plus. If he likes your question, he might even promote your book, blog, other project in his answer.

Alien image courtesy of a shutterstock.com license.

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May 25 2015
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Technology

Do Drones Really Work?

A few years ago I visited a toy store.

It wasn’t just any toy store.  It was a really huge awesome one.

There was a guy doing demonstrations of this awesome $30 mini quadcopter.  It appeared to be totally stable, had the ability to perform tricks and the man controlling it did so with ease.

He convinced me.  I bought one.

I put in the battery, turned it on, achieved lift off and WAM – right into the ceiling.

I kept trying it.  It went everywhere but where I wanted it to go.  I don’t know if it was because I damaged it out of the gate or if for thirty bucks, that’s all the stability you get.

While I can survive losing three ten-spots, my eye has been wondering lately to some of the cool drones on the market.  Some of the better ones range in price from $500 to over $1,000.

I can’t really afford that either but once in a blue moon, we all need to indulge ourselves with a little splurge, something completely frivolous and impractical, just to bring a smile to our face.  We spend so much time on the business of life that we often forget what we’re living for.

Needless to say, I can’t drop $500 on something that’s going to crash (or I guess, more accurately, something I’m going to crash) right out of the box.

Video games have spoiled us.  I want a drone that’s going to go exactly where I tell it to go.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit more complicated.  While I’m not an aviation scientist and therefore don’t know all the correct terms, the basic issue is that you’re dealing with a) keeping the craft stable on a horizontal access b) keeping it from turning to the left or right until you want it to and c) keeping it level without letting it fly straight up into the sky or come crashing into the ground.

It’s amazing these are on the market though it may be one of those things that we need to wait and allow the bugs to be worked out of.

Or maybe I just bought a cheap piece of crap and I’ll be instantly wowed if I were to invest in a more expensive product.

In looking at various online reviews, I get the impression that the “Phantom” series of drones are a) expensive but b) great.  Maybe you get what you pay for.

If (and it’s a big “if”) I ever convince myself to splurge on such an extravagance, probably the best I can do is a Parrot Bebob drone for $500.

Here’s a YouTube Review of the Parrot Drone by MW Technology.  It seemed pretty honest and thorough:

The point?  I’m wondering if there’s anyone out there who’s already taken the plunge, bought one and can either say a) these things are so fun and worth every penny! or b) what a pile of crap, it crashed five minutes after getting out of the box!

Or you might have an experience in between.

Have a drone story?  Share it in the comments and educate BQB.

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May 25 2015
3 Comments
True Nerd Heroes

True Nerd Heroes

Bookshelf Q. Battler, World Renowned Poindexter and Uber Nerd

Bookshelf Q. Battler, World Renowned Poindexter and Uber Nerd

Nerds.

They’re those people who look, act, and think a bit differently than everyone else.

More often than not they try their best to choke down their nerdy tendencies, doing what they can to fit in with the status quo but never truly finding the level of happiness that comes from following their true nerdy potential.

Meanwhile, others let their nerdy freak flag fly.  In the face of naysayers surrounding them on all sides, they shout “I’m here!  I’m a Poindexter!  Deal with it!”

And when those nerds steep up to the geek plate and hit a dorky home run, society benefits in all sorts of ways, from science, medicine, and inventions to TV, movies publishing and the arts.

These people aren’t just nerds.

They’re true nerd heroes.

A new feature on the Bookshelf Battle Blog – Bookshelf Q. Battler, one of those geeks who lets his nerd flag fly, is seeking out nerds, geeks, dweebs, dorks, spazoids and various and sundry poindexters who’ve defied the odds, vaulted over the hurdles, pulled an Ace out of the deck stacked against them and in the end, achieved true nerd greatness.

True Nerd Heroes.  Nerds who have earned their place in the Nerd Hall of Fame.  Nerds who, when their time comes, will have the doors to Nerd Valhalla swing open to them.

Do you know a True Nerd Hero?  Nominate an awe inspiring nerd in the comments or on twitter #truenerdheroes.

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May 24 2015
7 Comments
Ask the Alien

Ask the Alien – Is Hollywood Capturing What Aliens Really Look Like?

By:  Alien Jones, Intergalactic Correspondent

Greetings Earth Losers!

Alien Jones here once again to educate humanity’s masses and help you help yourselves.

This week, avid Bookshelf Battle Blog Reader “Sledpress” has consulted my genius brain thusly:

“But I WANT to see “Flatulence Intervention!” One of my string of weird ex’es needs it…

On the other hand, I’ve been meaning to ask AJ whether a majority of aliens have weirdly wrinkled and shiny leathery skin, or if it’s just that somewhere in Hollywood there are warehouses full of unused Naugahyde that they have to work off.”

Flatulence Intervention is just one of the many reality television programs that my Supreme Overlord, the Mighty Potentate wants off Earth airwaves before it offends his eye receptacles on our home planet, the name of which I’m not allowed to tell you as His Royal Pontentositude fears Hollywood suits will spend copious amounts of Earth money to unlock intergalactic travel for humanity for the sole purpose of peddling reality TV to our home world.

Other Reality TV programs that offend His Epic Potentosity:

DJ Jazzy Jones

DJ Jazzy Jones

  • Nuns with Hangovers
  • Name that Smell
  • Legendary Rock Star Becomes Old, Forgetful and Hilarious
  • America’s Next Top Barbershop Quartet
  • Fishing with Fred (That’s pretty much the whole show.  Fred goes fishing.)

Anyway, Sledpress basically wants to know if Hollywood is doing a good job of capturing what aliens look like.

Well, yes and no.

With their limited imaginations, humans conceive of the concept that there are worlds where beings look vastly different than what they are used to.

For example, renowned science fiction director James Cameron provided your world with the grotesque and hideously scary “Aliens” in the Alien movies.

Years later, he tried to make a fictional species that appeared beautiful in 2009’s Avatar but the effort fell flat and he basically just produced a race of half-man/half-smurfs.

(Seriously, everyone and their Uncle opined that damn movie was going to be the best thing since sliced bread but you haven’t watched it again since you saw it in the theater have you?)

Where Cameron gets it right is this:  there are some alien species that you humans, based on your own concepts of beauty, would find attractive or disgusting.

However, keep in mind that beauty or ugliness is in the eye of the beholder.

Some beings would never be attracted to beings with “wrinkly naugahyde skin.”  Others won’t go anywhere near a being who doesn’t have it.

It’s a diverse universe out there and every alien has their own preconceived notions of what is and is not appealing.

Personally, I’m glad that my species has developed cloning and outgrown the need for procreation, as that’s a whole rat race that isn’t worth it.  My government mandated life mate and I get along because the Mighty Potentate demands that we do so and that’s all this being needs to know.

Alien Jones is the Intergalactic Correspondent for the Bookshelf Battle Blog, on a mission to raise Earth’s collective intelligence levels one question at a time. Do you have a question for the Esteemed Brainy One? Tweet it to @bookshelfbattle on Twitter, leave it in the comments on bookshelfbattle.com, or stop by Bookshelf Battle on Google Plus. If he likes your question, he might even promote your book, blog, other project in his answer.

Alien image courtesy of a shutterstock.com license.

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May 23 2015
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Movie Reviews

Movie Review – Tomorrowland (2015)

Tomorowland…

OR

Disney makes its own version of a Jason Bourne conspiracy thriller.  (PG of course)

Bookshelf Q. Battler here with a review of a movie all dreamers will want to see.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Movieclips Trailers – Tomorrowland – 2015

At the outset, this is a tough flick to review, 3.5 readers.

So much time is spent in the first half of the film building up the suspense (or “showing not telling” as we nerdy writer geeks might say, that I have to tread lightly lest I give the whole story away.

Tomorrowland is a magical place where artists, scientists, and assorted geniuses are allowed to brainstorm freely.

It’s also hidden from our reality, thus allowing freethinkers to do their thing without having their work abused by greedy business suits, corrupt politicians, or vengeful dictators.

In other words, it’s proof that the world could be a wonderful place if the best and the brightest were allowed to do their work for good instead of evil.

(So yeah, basically it really is a fantasy.)

As a boy in the 1960’s, Frank Walker (Thomas Robinson) is recruited by a girl named Athena (Raffey Cassidy) to visit this wonderful world.  Everyone in the 1960’s version of Tomorrowland looks like an actual 1960’s person, thus leaving this reviewer to wonder if this wasn’t Disney’s attempt to poke fun at that old joke of, “Disney World gives us a glimpse of what the future will look like according to someone from the 1960’s.”

Flashforward to present day and Frank Walker, now played by George Clooney, is a grumpy recluse, displeased that he was ever offered a glimpse of a world he’s grown too jaded to believe could ever be possible.

Meanwhile, teenager Casey Newton (Britt Robertson) hasn’t given up hope for a better tomorrow yet.  She lives in Florida with her father (played by country singer Tim McGraw), a NASA engineer and despite his objections, she gets in trouble whilst trying to prevent a NASA launch pad from being torn down.

(Or in other words, Disney’s not-so-subtle plea for the government to not abandon the space program, which this nerd agrees with, but that’s a whole other conversation.)

Grown-up Frank and kids Athena and Casey come together in a “surprisingly complicated plot for a Disney movie” to save Tomorrowland and our own world from obligatory villain Nix (the incomparable Hugh Laurie.)

To get into the how and why is to reveal too much info to the point that you probably wouldn’t bother seeing it if I did.

However, there are some great quotes along the way.  Two that come to mind:

1)  It’s hard to come up with an idea and easy to give up.

2)  Casey tells a story about two wolves, one led by hope, the other despair.  Who wins?  “The one you feed.”

Honestly, my memory isn’t fresh and I might have mangled both of those quotes, but you get the gist.

This is a film made by dreamers for dreamers, discussing all the ups and downs of life as a person who thinks big.

It’s for older people like Frank, who once believed they could make a difference only to regret reaching for the proverbial stars in the first place.

It’s also for younger people, like Casey, who see nothing but opportunity on the horizon.

It’s for the young who are lucky enough to dream of a bold new world and for the old who tried to do their part to bring about that world only to experience one of those soul crushing setbacks that all too often force adults to give up on their dreams and settle for whatever means of providing a living they can find.

It tells the youngsters to keep dreaming and the old timers to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get back in the game.

Is this movie one great big giant advertisement designed to lure kids into nagging their parents for a trip to Disney World, where they can visit Tomorrowland (a part of the Magic Kingdom)?

Of course.

But it’s also Disney’s attempt to convince dreamers of all ages to take big ideas and use them for good and not evil, to use inventions in ways that will cure the world’s problems, not cause more.

A grim apocalyptic future is coming our way if we don’t stop our petty squabbles and learn how to work together.  That’s about as deep and meaningful a message as can be provided in a film produced by a company operated by a cartoon mouse.

From a movie buff’s perspective, it’s fun to watch two girls hold their own in scenes with Hollywood legend Clooney.  (Between you and me, they even upstage him at times, but don’t tell George.)

Laurie delivers a fabulous performance as Nix and while I won’t give it away, feel free to generally post in the comments below if you think Nix’s viewpoint was wrong or right.

Are you a dreamer?  Are you a nerd who dreams of a day when nerds will be allowed to work without seeing the fruits of their labor used for evil purposes?

If you’re a fan of this blog, then you probably are.

So all 3.5 of you should check this movie out.

STATUS:  Shelf-worthy.

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