David Mitchell On Science Fiction And Breaking The Laws Of Physics

There's a piece in The Guardian by David Mitchell (comedian) entitled So movies shouldn't break the laws of physics? Don't tell Captain Kirk which surprised me today. It's a great read and I also completely agree with it. Firstly:

Being realistic is a storytelling tool, like lighting, music and sexy actresses. If it's not helping, and you won't otherwise be denying the Holocaust or pushing drugs to kids, then you can lose it.

How typical of a scientist to try to reduce film-making to a formula. He's noticed that enjoyable science fiction sometimes needs to include the impossible, but streams of implausible events don't make a compelling narrative. He's right but he should have left it at that. The happy medium is found by using judgment not maths.

Apparently, if a ship blows up in space, it doesn't really make a noise. How silly much of Hollywood's sci-fi output must look to audience members with experience of inter-stellar warfare.