Recommended Reading: 'Lucy's' bad science and space movie inaccuracies
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read.
Lucy's Based on Bad Science, and 6 More Secrets About the Film
by Angela Watercutter,
Wired
A quick Google search will reveal quite a few articles pointing out the inaccuracy of the main premise of Lucy. By ingesting drugs stuffed inside her belly by traffickers, a woman is able to access not just the 10 percent of her brain regular humans can supposedly access, but also the other 90 percent. That whole 10 percent figure is of course a myth, but that didn't stop Luc Besson from using it as the base for his fictional narrative. Besson uses his knack for creating great female leads with some out-of-order storytelling to make the whole thing a bit more believable, and Wired has a quick rundown before this weekend's debut.
6 Ways Movies Get Space Wrong Look, I'm well aware that reality gets suspended in Hollywood more often than not in the interest of constructing a compelling story. Cracked recently spoke with Chris Hadfield about his time in space, revealing a handful of topics that galactic movie makers tend to glance over. Stuff like the trip from Earth makes you throw up and the difficulty walking or jogging upon return. | Putting Magic in the Mundane Enchanted Objects author David Rose and other researchers spill the details on how high-tech devices spice up everyday life. Items like Narrative's wearable life-logging Clip camera keeping an eye on cellphone use, for example. There's also a project that makes CityHome's 200-square-foot space highly modular with voice- and motion-controlled robotic furniture (including a "date mode"). |
Inside the Life of a Pro Gamer In the wake of The International -- a $10 million Dota 2 tournament -- The Verge offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of a pro gamer. There's a look at making the leap from hobbyist to professional and how some teams live together for an entire year in order to build the chemistry needed to dominate events on e-sports' biggest stages. Those events are even being televised on major networks, and being a pro gamer is becoming as legitimate an occupation as any. | The Never-Advertised, Always Coveted Headphones Built and Sold in Brooklyn If you're into high-quality audio gear and you've yet to hear about Grado Labs, you should familiarize yourself. The tiny Brooklyn-based company cranks out some of the most highly sought-after cans around, all while doing little to advertise its chops. Solid performance that's tuned specifically for jazz music is favored over modern style, but that's not stopping those in the know from splurging for a pair. |
