The Physics of the Buffyverse

[Bikewer]

I listened to the author of this new book this morning, along the lines of The Physics of Star Trek and a few others.
The author is an actual physics teacher, and has fun using the series to explain some concepts.

Amazon.com: The Physics of the Buffyverse: Books: Jennifer Ouellette



Along the same line, in the popular "..... and Philosophy" series, we have "Fear and Loathing in Sunnydale:

Amazon.com: Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Philosophy: Fear and Trembling in Sunnydale (Popular Culture and Philosophy): Books: James B. South,William Irwin

Both should be fun reads.

[pyan]

There's this as well:
Amazon.com: What Would Buffy Do: The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide: Books: Jana Riess

Me, I'll stick to "If it tries to kill me or my friends, kill it first."

[PTeppic]

Whilst I can accept the second and third named books as having content, the first strikes me as superfluous. I've seen every episode in the canon and frankly there's no physics that needs explaining. Okay, the odd Ted, Buffy-bot or Adam cyborg, and a few gimmicks/gadgets like trackers or the Initiative's weapons... but "physics"? Surely it's just set in "normal" modern Earth? I've got "The Physics of Star Trek" and in contrast there is lots of material to explain: shields, transporters, warp drive, and so on. But, go on... what on Earth is needed for Sunnydale?

[dustinzgirl]

Originally Posted by PTeppic

Whilst I can accept the second and third named books as having content, the first strikes me as superfluous. I've seen every episode in the canon and frankly there's no physics that needs explaining. Okay, the odd Ted, Buffy-bot or Adam cyborg, and a few gimmicks/gadgets like trackers or the Initiative's weapons... but "physics"? Surely it's just set in "normal" modern Earth? I've got "The Physics of Star Trek" and in contrast there is lots of material to explain: shields, transporters, warp drive, and so on. But, go on... what on Earth is needed for Sunnydale?

You ever tried landing a jump kick into Spike's face? That takes physics.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by dustinzgirl

You ever tried landing a jump kick into Spike's face? That takes physics.

Actually, that takes a strong death-wish

[PTeppic]

Yes, but that's the physics of martial arts, rather than anything specifically Buffyverse...

[Bikewer]

I actually picked up a copy, and the author essentially uses Buffy to illustrate and explain a lot of basic physics information in an entertaining manner.

It's fairly obvious that she's a fan, she quotes extensively and accurately from the series. She's also impressed that Wheadon tried to make the Buffyverse rather self-consistant, and pretty much staying within it's own "laws".

A fun read, and a nice introduction to physics for your kids. (if they're fans!)

[PTeppic]

Ah - explains a lot. So it's not really "Physics of Buffy", but "Basic physics" as also seen in the Buffyverse. I guess if they get people into science that's cool.

[pyan]

Originally Posted by PTeppic

I guess if they get people into science that's cool.

As long as the difference between the science and the rest of the Buffyverse is made clear, that is!