The Browser: How Broons Defied the Laws of Gravity On the Bru
Scotland on Sunday › October 19, 2009
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Summary
CP SNOW famously derided the "two cultures" mind-set that separates arts and sciences as two distinct and discrete spheres of activity, and though much has been done to dissolve this distinction, the chasm still remains. One of the most innovative attempts to bridge the divide has been the Writer in Residence scheme for the Edinburgh Genomics Forum, currently held by Ken MacLeod. Last Wednesday, they held a fascinating debate on the depiction of scientists in fiction, with speculative fiction writer Andrew J Wilson giving a whistle-stop tour of the various swivel- eyed, shock-haired, demented geniuses from Victor Frankenstein onwards. He was accompanied by three practising scientists, Emma Frow, Steve Yearley and Chris French, who all spoke eloquently on the stereotypes of boffins (Dungeons and Dragons was mentioned, as was the persistence of the "Eureka!" idea - most science is, unfortunately, pure slog). Afterwards, I was lucky enough to get a copy of this year's best contribution to the idea of Homecoming - a gorgeous pamphlet called "Alba Ad Astra", produced by the Writers' Bloc Group, which details Scotland's forgotten (and fictitious) space programme. The "Golden Eagle" rocket was, apparently, so famous that Horace Broon, left, convinced the family he'd won a trip on it, and Barr's relaunched Irn-Bru as "Rocket Fuel". Even gravity, the pamphlet concludes, can't hold back the Scots.
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The Browser: How Broons Defied the Laws of Gravity On the Bru
What connects Douglas Adams, Robert "Wheel of Time" Jordan, ...
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