Ghost of a flea: The beclowning of io9

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June 13, 2008

The beclowning of io9

Lest anyone take it seriously, io9 beclowns itself with an absurd list of the top ten most realistic planets in science fiction. These people know nothing whatsoever about sf.

One of the worst examples of unrealistic science in movies is the overly simple alien planet. Oftentimes, our heroes will visit the desert planet, or the Irish planet. But the best extraterrestrial worlds in science fiction are the ones with variety and a realistic ecosystem. They have cities as well as countryside, and a range of environments. Here's our guide to the most realistic — and interesting — planets in science fiction.

First of all, the Ringworld - while awesome - is not a planet. Second, exsqueeze me but where is Arrakis? Medea? Compared to the io9 list, Gor?

Finally, and most importantly... Naboo? I mean, they have included freaking Naboo? A planet whose core is made of water? At least Tatooine and Coruscant had the decency to be ripped off of interesting science fiction planets, even Kashyyyk is a more credibly rendered Lucas world (in the suppressed Christmas special version if not the heretical "prequels").

Related: The all too realistic clouds of Venus.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at June 13, 2008 06:43 AM

Comments

What of Raisa? What of Raisa?

Somewhat related: Set the controls for the heart of the Sun...

http://wattsupwiththat.wordpress.com/2008/06/12/nasa-to-probe-sun-in-situ/

Posted by: The_Campblog at June 13, 2008 07:07 AM

Sweet. Though their unattributed “the biggest threat facing mankind - climate change” brainfart is distracting.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at June 13, 2008 08:18 AM

That's the James Hansen influence most likely.

The guys who are actually studying the Sun must just smile, wave, and carry on.

Posted by: The_Campblog at June 13, 2008 12:03 PM

Dear God in heaven, that was an awful list. I liked A Wrinkle in Time just fine--in a studly, masculine manner, of course--but I'm not even sure it qualifies as science fiction. And Naboo is just Arrakis with a prefrontal lobotomy.

If you like Medea-style worldbuilding exercises, the Epona Project has a rather nifty site. No story, but a lot of nice detail.

Posted by: Mr. Atoz at June 13, 2008 02:35 PM

Sorry, *Tatooine* was lobotomized Arrakis. Naboo was the perfect home planet for Jar Jar Binks.

Posted by: Mr. Atoz at June 13, 2008 02:37 PM